390°

Phil Spencer Regrets Skipping RIME, Wants New Gears of War To "Reignite Franchise And Grow It"

GearNuke: "Microsoft's Phil Spencer seems to regret their decision of rejecting RIME but says that "Part of job is living with mistakes"; he also talked about how he wants to see the new Gears of War game to reignite fan's interest and grow the franchise."

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gearnuke.com
AngelicIceDiamond3709d ago

"Phil Spencer Regrets Skipping RIME,"

That's a damn, damn shame on you Phil Spencer for skipping out on a gem like this.

Phil and the Xbox team aren't at liberty to skip out on ANY games especially if they're being offered to get it developed on their system. Not only that but the Xbox platform needs

I believe you can do the Xbox justice but I'm expecting minimal mistakes like this again in the future. From now on just say yes to all lol seems to be working for PlayStation.

shivvy243709d ago

Wow I didn't know they rejected it, I remember watching the trailer for the first time it was awesome

FarEastOrient3709d ago

Remember, Heavy Rain was pitched to Microsoft before it went to Sony.

abzdine3709d ago (Edited 3709d ago )

i forgot all about that game. looks really promising!
The difference between MS and Sony is passion for games. one rejects games for no reason and the other one believes in whatever refreshing concept.
MS love milking anything that can give them money just like they will keep doing with GeOW.

FamilyGuy3709d ago

Lol, they saw Rime first and rejected it!? That's hilarious. I can pretty much guess why though, it seems like a single player only game, story focused. MS prefers games with multiplayer or online co-op so they can force Live Gold down your throat.

Then again they do go after some good looking single player games. One thing MS has that I wish sony had seen first and grabbed was that indie title "Below". It looks awesome and cleverly designed to make you feel like a small guy in a big world, all alone trying to accomplish some huge goal. It's one of the most unique titles coming to the X1 and it's an indie game.

b163o13709d ago

Lmao, with everything going wrong with the XBone you'd figure M$ would be open to damn near everything to try to catch up to the 4. Relying on old system sellers may turn around to bite thee in thy a$$

GameNameFame3709d ago

With what Studio?

Black Tusks Studio? You mean the same studio who got their games canceled multiple reasons due to "quality" reasons?

And the same studio with poor/no track record.

No Phill, you need to put good studio behind games. Name is just name. Studios are who makes the games.

UncleGermrod3708d ago

Crazy how things turn out. I really do think that at the very least, this gen will force MS to be more focused on exclusives and fostering creativity...at least if they want to compete with Sony at any level. The brand is still pretty strong it its core markets, but it will take more than halo/gears and one titanfall to hold their ground. They do seem to be more focused on exclusives already, and I hope that continues.

@FarEast, I hate to see them pass on any creative exclusives, but I guess they just didn't see Heavy Rain becoming a big enough success to make up for the high development costs. Meanwhile, I think they hit several million...so how did that work out? MS deff needs to be more considerate of creative projects and exclusives.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3708d ago
DigitalAnalog3708d ago

And this why games like these go exclusive. Sometimes, it isn't just penetrating a wide market, it's about finding a publisher to invest in your product.

If said product ends up being critically acclaimed, you simply increase the value of the console. In a game industry, securing games is a must and MS dropped the ball on this one because they want to unified aspect of what type of games should enter the system.

christocolus3709d ago (Edited 3709d ago )

its good to see Phil beating himself up like this, shows he really wants to improve on mistakes made in the past..

its definitly a risky business and mistakes happen. no one wants to make wrong investments but just make sure you don't turn down potential hits next time Phil.

ontopic: i'm really glad Phil is putting this much effort into the internal teams, he is very encouraging and confident in what they can do. the freedom is all there. Don mattricks reign must have been like that of a dictatorship.

last e3 was great but ms needs to build upon that .im expecting big things from ms this e3, major announcements, return of classic ips and new ips too and i hope gears xbx one innovates on every level and brings back the fun and excitement of the first one(horde mode inclusive)

make this e3 a very memorable one phil....

rdgneoz33709d ago

"last e3 was great but ms needs to build upon tha"

Which one were you watching? It was just a back tracking of all their horrendous policies from xbone's reveal, an indie program that was leaked ahead of time, and no huge reveals.

Hopefully they do better next E3, but it's not like they can do any worse.

AngelicIceDiamond3709d ago

@Rdgneoz3 Umm no they actually had a good E3 when it came to game reveals.

I understand your confusion the DRM was most if not all the talk of E3. But if you go back and watch it again they had a pretty good showing.

Clover9043709d ago

I'm a huge Sony fan, but I was pretty impressed with Microsoft when it came to the games. Ryse, reinvigorated Dead Rising game, Below, Black Tusk teaser, Sunset Overdrive, QUANTUM BREAK, and reintroducing classics like Killer Instinct and Crimson Dragoon... Pretty impressive for a company known only for Halo, Gears and Forza.

Now not all of these games are winners, some aren't for me, and one isn't even coming out (Black Tusk now working on a new Gears of War), but purely game announcement-wise Microsoft did actually have a pretty good showing.

Pogmathoin3709d ago (Edited 3709d ago )

The DRM fiasco has been done to death, except here, worst than an elementary school yard. When it came to the games itself, MS line up was quite impressive. Sure they have made bad mistakes, but they have not been the only ones to ever make mistakes (forgotten here), and remember with original Xbox, it was built by some of the best people in the gaming industry. Would it be a bad thing if some great gaming talent would get behind Xbox again? Or is this just a futile site, doomed to a stupid brand war? The reason that Sony got it all right this time is because they had to, due to forgotten mistakes made with PS3. The best game of last gen, Skyrim (opinion) was unplayable on PS3, due to the fact that 3rd party devs hated it, much like they are saying now with X1. Its a fickle industry, once collapsed, so be careful what you wish for when it comes to the demise of a player...... If Sony had no opposition, believe me, DRM would be up your ARSEnal....

aconnellan3708d ago

@rdgneoze

I agree with @AngelicIceDiamond, in the weeks surrounding E3 there was a lot of backtracking with the DRM stuff, and the reason it was raised at E3 at all was from people asking about it (as opposed to Microsoft going out of there way), but Microsoft's E3 show was pretty much game after game after game

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3708d ago
Sarxblade3709d ago

I don't know how your getting so many disagrees. You even said your glad MS are kicking themselves for passing the game up which i agree they should be kicking themselves.
But this regection was in 2012, almost 2 years ago. MS has gotten rid of few people that might have stopped this deal. Plus like you said there is a risk factor. I saw a comment that these devs made (dead light, i might have spelled it wrong) but it didn't sell to well on the 360 so they probably didn't want to take another risk.

I think MS has changed now and are taking more risks, i mean they are trying to bring rust to the xbox one, and other new indie games.

@rdgneoz3
He probably watched the same E3 i did where MS showed many exclusive games. They did the back tracking after e3, so i don't know which e3 you were watching. And no huge reveals? Ehem.... Titanfall the most liked and talked about game now that they announced at e3.

Thatguy-3103709d ago (Edited 3709d ago )

He's just saying that because Sony has it. Just like when a kid wants to play with something because someone else is playing with it. It's a shame since the title looks interesting. Risks are worth taking. Just take a look at what Sony and thatgamecompany did with journey.

cell9893709d ago

Journey turned out to be a masterpiece.

Thats the difference, Microsoft only invests in what they think will be a guaranteed money making machine, they have 0 room for creativity and fresh concepts. Look how long it took them to embrace the Little Big Planet spirit of play,create,share. Project Spark is barely coming out sometime this year.

Meanwhile, Sony is king of new IPs that expand the videogame libraries, because they take risks in concepts many wouldnt. I hope more publishers take some notes as to how Sony WWS does things

-Foxtrot3709d ago (Edited 3709d ago )

Here we go, Phil Spencer bigging things up with his "for the gamer" attitude when in reality he's only making the effort because of all the crap Microsoft and the Xbox One has gotten recently (Sales, specs, resolution, fps etc).

He regrets getting RIME because he probably thought

"No way are people going to be interested in that, where's the guns and explosions. Probably won't sell very well"

If things turned out differently and MS was in the lead with everything then he would be talking up the Xbox One and that's it....he wouldn't have his "I'm really interest in what gamers want" attitude and making it look like MS are always taking new risks and investing in new things which benefits hardcore gamers.. It's like a "trust me...and buy the Xbox One, we've changed...really, we have".

It amazes me how people think his new attitude makes him a totally different person now and how it reflects on MS...he's just doing this because the Xbox One isn't doing very well.

Silly gameAr3709d ago

OMG I'm glad I'm not the only one that sees through Phil's crap.

-Foxtrot3709d ago (Edited 3709d ago )

Don't get me wrong if he was like this BEFORE the whole Xbox One fiasco then fair enough....but he wasn't.

As gamers we were in the same Halo, Gears, Fable, Forza, odd new IP like Alan Wake cycle with a ton of timed exclusive DLC/Games.

I mean doesn't anyone find it funny that he's suddenly doing this whole "FOR THE GAMERS" bullcrap AFTER everything that's went on with the Xbox One.

It's not hard to see through it.

Problem is with most of Microsofts employees, they all seem like greasy car salesmen unlike Nintendo/Sony who are full with people who are gamers at heart, not businessmen first.

MightyNoX3709d ago

Rime wasn't 'Dudebro' enough for Xbox. They know it, we know it. It's still cute when we hear Phil saying "We're pro-consumer" on Twitter to every question.

cell9893709d ago

"Rime wasn't 'Dudebro' enough for Xbox"

the perfect scenario as to what happen when Rime, Heavy Rain and many others were pitched at MS

christocolus3709d ago (Edited 3709d ago )

"He regrets getting RIME because he probably thought

"No way are people going to be interested in that, where's the guns and explosions. Probably won't sell very well"

"It amazes me how people think his new attitude makes him a totally different person now and how it reflects on MS...he's just doing this because the Xbox One isn't doing very well"

...foxtrot

"He's just saying that because Sony has it. Just like when a kid wants to play with something because someone else is playing with it"

..dboyc

@foxtrot, dboyc and co

wth? what are you guys talking about? the guy is stating a simple fact and you find ways to turn it around? he feels bad that rime isn't on xbx one and is there anything wrong with that?he made a mistake which he is admiting openly to xbx fans. didnt sony reject super meat boy on ps3 too?

https://www.gamespot.com/fo...

its business and it happens in this industry, you loose some and you gain some.its the risk these guys have to take.stop trying to drag fanboyism into this too. nothing relevant to say then move on.phil has done a good job so far and i believe most xbx fans actually appreciate it. so pls stop.

@rdgneoz3

the devs said they reached all 3 console makers and sony was the only one lukewarm about it and so they went with nintendo and ms instead so whats so different about what phil did with rime?. and about ms last e3 its very obvious i was talking about the game announcements and im sure you knew that.say whatever man, i enjoyed the game announcements a lot of xbx fans did too the drm issue kind of overshadowed it but it has since been resolved and i don't dwell on that anymore.

rdgneoz33709d ago

According to the article you linked, Sony didn't reject SMB, they just weren't crazy about it.

"Sony was the only one that didn't express much interest in the game. We assumed this meant they didn't want the game, and [we] decided to sign with Nintendo and Microsoft."

No where does it say Sony rejected them.

AngelicIceDiamond3709d ago

@Fox I dunno how credible your comment is since, Well your not a fan of Xbox.

They do have allot of games coming for it that are hinted that aren't the Halo, Gears. "Odd new new Ip like Alan Wake" come on man you see its hard to take you or anyone here seriously you don't know what the game is nor are you interested. Project Spark's coming next month for X1 so that's cool.

Your comment isn't very rational.

I just think its stupid Phil's turning down games when they shouldn't be turning down NOTHING. They should be open to all indie devs and not nitpick. Lol MS can't afford to do that.

-Foxtrot3709d ago

I'm not a fan of Microsoft (latley), not the Xbox brand in general and as a gamer/consumer...can you honestly blame me. It's not like I'm the only person out there who feels like this and is making crap up out of nowhere...they did things, horrible things to gaming in general.

"They do have allot of games coming for it that are hinted that aren't the Halo, Gears. "Odd new new Ip like Alan Wake"

You did read my comment...right, where I mentioned Quantum Break, Sunset Overdrive, Black Tusks new game or am I going crazy and I just thought I did......oh wait no there it is.

"come on man you see its hard to take you or anyone here seriously you don't know what the game is nor are you interested."

So from what I've said what says I'm not interested in anything. I'm interested in the games, I just don't like Microsoft...and why should I, give me good reasons to why I should at the moment.

I was the kind of gamer who supported games like Alan Wake and Kameo on the Xbox 360, games which go against the whole "Dudebro, shooter fest" the Xbox 360 was plagued with at times.

So no...I think my comment is very rational...it just seems that way to you because you like Microsoft and the Xbox One yet it kills you inside that the company you once liked is now showing or HAS showed it's true colours and people now know what they are really like. You can be an optimist all you like but why criticize over people who have been let down over and over again by them....were not stupid you know, some of us learn from the past.

AngelicIceDiamond3709d ago (Edited 3709d ago )

@fox So "from what I've said what says I'm not interested in anything."

You didn't know what the games were. When you made this comment "Odd new new Ip like Alan Wake" I assumed you didn't have any interest because it sounded like you didn't know what the game was.

So your interested in the games that Xbox has to offer Titanfall next month, Project Spark, Quantum Break Sunset Overdrive and more to come soon. But your lack of trust or your conspiracy theory is what's keeping you from playing games.

You can't play the games because of the company that's behind it.

So what happens when Quantum Break comes out and turns out to be very successful and many are enjoying the game. That's one out of many games lost on your part because your getting caught up on some internet agenda and conspiracy.

But Ok MS is a very, very questionable company when it comes to this kind of stuff and lost many gamers trust I understand, I'm fully aware of it all. But I don't think Phil's comments, or just him in general aren't some kind of conspiracy of any sort or "he can't be trusted" considering he has new games in the pipeline.

Phil can't continue to make kindergarten mistakes such as turning down games. If Phil and the Xbox continue to screw up when it comes to games then they lost me as a fan and sticking only to PS4 this gen.

That's my current stance.

But I'll still keep my mind if I ever do become a full time Sony fan instead of half and half now.

"So no...I think my comment is very rational...it just seems that way to you because you like Microsoft and the Xbox One yet it kills you inside that the company you once liked is now showing or HAS showed it's true colours"

Lol my likeness for a company never, ever clouds my judgement or the way I think or look at logic. Lol these words "hurt" the only one that seems damaged is quite frankly you actually your the conspire and have trust issues.

Me on the other hand are watching MS very closely. They deliver great games and content they were known for it and seems they're doing it now whilst why I'm a fan and million of others and I wanna see what other games and content they deliver.

And let me be the first one to tell you if they're going off their rocker again.

But right now realistically they're doing ok now at least. Yeah, they're doing fine besides the price of the console.

"HAS showed it's true colours and people now know what they are really like."

What Phil's true colors? I missed that part.

And trust me I remain optimistic because I know the games are coming the features are coming. So again I'll let you know when something's up, you don't gotta let me know.

Nocando3709d ago

Here we go, Phil Spencer bigging things up with his "for the gamer" attitude when in reality he's only making the effort because of all the crap Microsoft and the Xbox One has gotten recently (Sales, specs, resolution, fps etc).

So in your humble opinion, what SHOULD Phil Spencer say? Are you saying it would even matter at this point? Should he say nothing at all?

-Foxtrot3709d ago

He should just shut up....something Microsoft in general have a hard time doing latley

You know...when they keep digging themselves into bigger and bigger holes.

Kryptix3708d ago (Edited 3708d ago )

Sony hasn't said much because they let the console and the games talk for themselves. As for Microsoft, it's like they been trying hard to clarify that they made mistakes in a bullshit attempt to make the gamers think they care even though they never talked like this pre-E3 2013. If they wanted Rime then just pay for an Xbox One version, they have the money for it.

It's all talk but no action. I can detect the mind tricks being played. Rime is there, it was open for the Xbox One once so the deal is most likely still open. Sony doesn't hold a shitty "release first on our X console before others" policy like MS does, if they really want it, they can grab it.

Kryptix3708d ago (Edited 3708d ago )

My bad, double post.

...If it doesn't go through the first time, don't click it again, just wait. lol

maniacmayhem3708d ago

Phil is being interviewed and asked questions. He's answering them how is that a bad thing?

I'm really amazed that someone can take what little was said in this article and turn it into all that mud and dirt you just threw out here.

"He should just shut up....something Microsoft in general have a hard time doing lately"

And if he did I'm sure you and others would say:

"How come MS isn't talking about anything!"

You should appreciate MS answering and talking about as much as they are now. They are actually talking to their users, fans and answering obvious troll questions. Something every company with more than a million+ users spending money on them should do.

KiRBY30003708d ago

i always think about this when i hear about Phil Spencer http://www.youtube.com/watc...

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3708d ago
MajorAly3709d ago

MS also passed on Heavy Rain, citing that the story/material about a child being kidnapped will be too much to handle.

Look where it ended up and look how it performed.

WeAreLegion3709d ago

Sucker Punch also left Microsoft. Lol.

christocolus3709d ago (Edited 3709d ago )

They left Microsoft long before ms decided to venture into console gaming. they actually were a team of software engineers with little to do with gaming.they left and later formed the studio we now know as sucker punch their first game was on n64.

http://slycooper.wikia.com/...

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340°

2024 Is A Chance At Redemption For Xbox & Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer

Xbox has been lagging behind PlayStation in terms of 1st party content, but 2024 offers the platform and Phil Spencer a chance at redemption.

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twistedvoxel.com
isarai11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Nah, that time has passed for many, and with their words on future plans, i really don't see it ever happening.

shinoff218311d ago

It's a wrap. Now is the time they are slowly going to move on as to not to kill the base as is. Titles will slowly drip onto ps and Nintendo consoles, etc. Those 4 already had to of been in development for awhile already cause two of them released really soon after the announcement

VenomUK10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

There is no ‘last chance redemption’ for Phil Spencer - he’s going straight to hell for tanking the Xbox console platform.

_SilverHawk_10d ago

"2024 Is A Chance At Redemption For Xbox & Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer"

I thought that was supposed to be a decade ago

Ironmike10d ago

U do rel7se ps5 is at thr moment only getting g those titles that were mentioned nothing else as of yet

Obscure_Observer11d ago

"Nah, that time has passed for many, and with their words on future plans, i really don't see it ever happening."

Xbox has PLENTY of first party games this year while Playstation has none!

There´s more first party games from Xbox Games Studios on PS5 this year than Playstation Studios own games.

Those are the *facts* and if those facts is not something to Sony be ashamed of, they can´t feel shame at all.

VersusDMC11d ago

Granblue Fantasy versus, FF7REBIRTH, Helldivers 2, Rise of the Ronin and Stellar Blade will have launched on PS5 and not on Xbox by the time Hellblade 2 launches.

This only first party games count is cope.

And as a bonus meme...Microsoft will have published 3 first party games on PS5 (Hifi rush, Grounded and sea of thieves) before their first for the year on Xbox(hellblade 2). Glad they have their priorities straight...

lodossrage11d ago

It's funny when people like to say xbox has more games coming to playstation this year than sony does.

YET, they leave out the context that Microsoft literally bought the biggest (Activision) third party publisher and Bethesday (another big one). So congrats on having to buy giants in order to compete?

On topic, wasn't Starfield the "last chance" for redemption?

Am I to assume that if the games they have coming this year don't get positive, feedback then 2025 will be the year of redemption?

Obscure_Observer11d ago

@VersusDMC

"Granblue Fantasy versus, FF7REBIRTH, Helldivers 2, Rise of the Ronin and Stellar Blade will have launched on PS5 and not on Xbox by the time Hellblade 2 launches."

None of the games you mentioned are first party. None. There´re more Xbox first party games on PS5 this year then Playstation´s own first party games, undeniable fact!

The real bonus meme is Sea of Thieves a game which PS fanboys used to sh!t on

"And as a bonus meme...Microsoft will have published 3 first party games on PS5 (Hifi rush, Grounded and sea of thieves) before their first for the year on Xbox(hellblade 2). Glad they have their priorities straight..."

Imo, the real meme is Sea of Thieves, a 6 year Xbox first party game which diehard fanboys used to mock and sh!t on, making to the top of the most pre-ordered game at PS Store in a year where Playstation has zero first party games.

https://twitter.com/BenjiSa...

Markusb3311d ago

and all will end up on playstation, and nintendo, if xbox was doing amazing they would not need ps or nintendo, if gp was amazing they wouldnt need pc. PS has multiple first party games in development that we dont know about. Look at how halo was treated, look at redfall, and look at starfield. Its fine to be loyal and prefer one platoform but to be wilfully ignorant about it just ridiculas.

badz14910d ago

LOL se we are moving from "exclusives" to "console exclusives" to now only "1st party exclusives" matters just after MS has bought 2 publishers for $77B??

Moving goalpost to always favor MS i. Your argument is getting tiring! Exclusives are exclusives! 1st or 3rd party, they are still exclusives. You do remember the PS2 literally killed the Dreamcast, Gamecube and the first xbox due to mostly 3rd party exclusives, right?

InUrFoxHole10d ago

Observe is actually correct. Sony paid to play. But we don't mention when they do it. When they do it we're totally cool with it. N4G 4lyfe!

Skuletor10d ago

Are they still counted as first party though?

fr0sty10d ago

“This notion that Xbox can only be this one device that plugs into a television isn’t something we see in the Gen Z research. Because nothing else is like that for them.

Some of them will have an iPhone, some will have an Android, but all the games and everything is the same. I can still get to TikTok on both of them, at least for now." - Phil Spencer

Read it and weep... all Xbox games are coming to as many platforms as they can put them on, and this is the first step towards them getting out of hardware entirely, just like Sega did.

Xbox has been Dreamcast out of the industry. You can deny it all you like, but it's happening.

northpaws10d ago

@Obscure_Observer

You certainly have more faith in Xbox than Phil Spencer does, I will give you that.

rpvenom10d ago

It's actually quite impressive watching you defend xbox. I respect the loyalty

wiz719110d ago

@VersusDMC here yall Sony fans go moving the goalpost again lol now this only first party things is a cope when yall was the one who started that crap in the first place. When Sony had all the first party games and Xbox was relying on third party , yall was shouting they had no first party games. Now the tables turn and suddenly it’s a cope. lol

wiz719110d ago

@lodossrage and so it’s also funny that the majority of Xbox first party games this year aren’t coming from any of those big studios lol except for Indy .. the biggest one this year is coming from a studio that Sony left and almost let that studio die after releasing two big exclusives on their console first. Now MS swoop in and saved them , then here they are with the best looking game this generation. Now that’s ironic , but you mention buying studios like Sony biggest studios weren’t BOUGHT my brother.

Yall need to be more worried about Sony closing studio after studio , the PSVR 2 dying , Sony losing billions , and the fact that yall biggest game this year as in Stellar Blade was once being developed as a multi platform game until Sony paid for them to be a second party studio. lol but you want to mention things being bought , your delusional

Crows9010d ago

Shame in the competitor buying up tons of dev teams in order to make that a reality? Yeah...there's no shame in that on the PlayStation side....

andy8510d ago

So now you're shifting the goal posts so only first party exclusives count. Amazing 😂

Profchaos10d ago

There's probably tons of games exclusive to Xbox that won't be on PS because of their early access clause.

However list the games that count helldivers 2 I'd argue has done more for gaming this year than any other title will.
It could be their only game and it would still be a great year because it was that unexpectedly good even haters of love service games are playing it

TheTony31610d ago

Still at it? Doesn't matter at this point. The games will eventually launch on PS5.

mkis00710d ago (Edited 10d ago )

I see you ignored his" only first party games count" line as if preordained. Is it on xbox? No...then it is ammunition. Meanwhile sony gets to passively soak up 30% of all ms game studios sales.

1Victor10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

@obscured: “There´s more first party games from Xbox Games Studios on PS5 this year than Playstation Studios own games.

Those are the *facts* and if those facts is not something to Sony be ashamed of, they can´t feel shame at all.”
That says more about Xbox than PlayStation that they have to release games on rival consoles to stay afloat, Microsoft and YOU SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED OF THAT FACT.

Edit After thought: it took Microsoft 6 years to finally fix their sea of bugs just in time to release it on PlayStation 🤷🏿

S2Killinit10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

On topic:
MS’s last chance was Starfield…
How many last chances are there?

@Osbscure
You’re moving the goal posts into places that have no basis in reality anymore.

+ Show (17) more repliesLast reply 10d ago
darthv7211d ago

Life is too short to hold onto grudges. Grudges against a console, game or company is just petty.

isarai11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Has nothing to do with a grudge. Ive been waiting 12yrs for them to get back to their greatness, im done waiting and have moved onto just watching that ship sink as i play on literally every other platform

darthv7211d ago

^^... I still play on it, as well as the other platforms. Which is why I am not someone who dwells on the negativity like others do. there is always something for me to enjoy in this hobby.

isarai10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

@darth

Again, not dwelling on negativity, they legit haven't made anything i want to play since like gears 3 and halo reach. I did play Crackdown 3 and gears 5 cause i had hope given i was a huge fan of the older games, but that was a dud on both cases.

You're thinking it's way deeper than it is 🤣 make something worth playing and ill play it, i was hoping starfield would be that but again, dud.

darthv7210d ago

^^...I never said YOU were doing that... but its obvious others (here) do. Its all they seem to do is dwell on negativity, especially if its XB related. all im saying is there is more to enjoy than there is to complain about. And this is exactly why I play all the platforms instead of just one. You say you do the same... so just enjoy it.

neomahi10d ago

It's fanbots making their last stand in an attempt to save the Xbox, what more can one expect that the most optimism they've ever had. Xbox can't get a lock in Japan, still, and Europe is about to abandon it as well. What're you gonna do? And what happens IF Japanese generates interest? They'll see Europe losing interest and decide it's not worth it either. And it's not just Xbox, Microsoft as a whole is losing their footing. They've backed on subscriptions with everything they have to offer and it's tanking. Xbox needs to port to PlayStation and Nintendo while they can stay relevant and try to stay relevant, the longer they delay, we could see a complete Microsoft nose dive

S2Killinit10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

And you think MS fans are just dandy? Besides, is it a grudge if MS continues to give reasons for people to despise them?

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 10d ago
Markusb3311d ago

when you cant make enough from your own platform and pc and you have to go to ps and nintendo you know its a slow transition to 3rd party publishing, and that is fine. Xb never had the thurst or ambition after the 360

JackBNimble10d ago

The second they decided to put exclusives on the ps5 they blew any chance of redemption

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 10d ago
-Foxtrot11d ago

Even if they managed to get a win this year it dosent overthrow 10 years of mostly disappointments from Phil’s leadership.

RaidenBlack11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Then this way, no company can redeem themselves. The very concept of redemption arc becomes impossible if the past is refused to be forgiven, even if the company manages to better themselves.
Then the now popular redemption arc of No Mans Sky or Phantom Liberty wouldn't exist in the gaming community if the same logic is also applied there.
Not defending anyone here but I want gaming to improve, companies to better themselves and most importantly competition to exist so that we get offered the best products to enjoy.
(I know in typical N4G fashion, this comment will be downvoted to oblivion, but I want good games offered from every studios irrespective of publishers.)

staticall11d ago

@RaidenBlack
IMO, what @-Foxtrot means, one years doesn't mean much. It's a start, yes, but they need more, much more.

Look at your own example, No Mans Sky - they didn't just release one patch and everyone started praising them, no. They've been doing this consistently. If Microsoft will start releasing good games consistently, that'll be great, no ifs and/or buts! But hyping them up in advance (no worthy releases yet is what i mean) - dunno, i might be wrong, but i don't think it's healthy or helps anyone.

rippermcrip10d ago

Your analogies are terrible. A company releasing a single game that failed to meet expectations.

Isn't the same as Phil Spencer making mistake after mistake after mistake after mistake, telling lie after lie after lie after lie for 10+ years.

isarai10d ago

Your whole comparison makes no sense. It literally took years for both of those to "redeem" themselves in the container of a single game. MS has been lacking for 12yrs starting with the halo/gears/forza criticism begining in the latter half of the 360. So even by YOUR logic, he's right, it's gonna take a lot more than one game to be redeemed ESPECIALLY after fumbling what many were already holding as their chance at redemption with starfield

Chevalier10d ago

It's not Playstation or Nintendos fault that Xbox poses no competition. They've had more support and more money behind them than Playstation and Nintendo combined!

You say you aren't defending Xbox, but, you kind of are. Xbox has been completely mediocre for decades. The last time Xbox was competitive was the 360 era. My 360 collection absolutely demolishes my Xbox One collection and so far Series X hasn't had much reason for me to jump to a purchase.

Can you honestly say Xbox is 'competitive'?! I would say not even close.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 10d ago
Silly Mammo10d ago

With the gaming media, Xbox is always just one game away from redemption and success. It's willful ignorance that they think there's a 'magic bullet' that will somehow erase all the moves by Phil & the gang of the last 2 console generations.

"Well there's always next year!" Should be the official Xbox slogan

Chocoburger10d ago (Edited 10d ago )

100% this Mammo!

They've been screwing up for over a decade! Even if they release a game that's of the highest quality, that's nothing in the grand scheme things.

It also doesn't un-do Kinect (with lies based advertising).

Or Kinect 2 (forcing people to spend $100 extra for something they didn't even want!).

Or releasing two consoles with nothing noteworthy twice in a row (One X, Series S|X).

Or releasing unpolished games such as Re:Core, Sea of Thieves, Halo: MCC, Halo Infinite, Redfall, and Starfield.

Let's not forget canceling games as well such as Scalebound,Project Spark, and the Phantom Dust remake.

Finally let's remember the broken promises of vaporware games, languishing in development Hell, such as Perfect Dark, Fable, Everwild, what else am I forgetting?

Redemption is far far FAR AWAY for Microsoft. It'll take a full decade of only making smart pro-consumer decisions and releasing plenty of amazing games in order to make up for it all.

2024? It ain't gonna do squat on its own.

Rols11d ago

It was the same old story in 2020, 2021,2022 and 2023. XBox has never delivered this gen.

Brazz11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Xbox360, the last time they delivered the goods, over 10 years Ago.

Skuletor10d ago

This headline just reminds me of the "wait 'til E3" comments we'd hear every year, before it was cancelled.

LG_Fox_Brazil11d ago

I wonder if the 2025's version of this article is already written, probably I would say

lodossrage11d ago

That's the same point I was trying to convey when I replied to Obscure

Hofstaderman11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

#wait till e3 2024

Aloymetal10d ago

''2024 Is A Chance At Redemption For Xbox & Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer''
We've been hearing and reading the same crap since the xbone launch, these shills/journos need to come up with something new. Good thing is most gamers know this is all BS, they all read ''"Step right up folks and hold out your money or sub to our service. You don't know what you are going to get, but like always, take our word for it" Signed Lord Phil.

Show all comments (88)
580°

Phil Spencer blames capitalism for games industry woes.

Spencer said publicly traded companies have to show constant growth or else nobody will give them money. "I don't get [the] luxury of not having to run a profitable growing business"

LG_Fox_Brazil15d ago

I don't know Phil... You've being running, and some will say ruining, the Xbox brand for 10 years now, you know?

Profchaos15d ago

I'd say he'sade the best out of a tremendous cluster fk of a situation he was thrown into after Don tanked the Xbox brand from Kinect to the launch of the X1.

The only reason Xbox isn't in the Ms graveyard right now is because of Phil.

So I don't agree with everything he's done but I can see why these drastic pivots and moves have been made

VenomUK15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

You don’t hear Nintendo CEO Shuntaro Furukawa blame capitalism for the phenomenal success of the Switch.

You don’t hear now-departed PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan blame capitalism for the roaring success of the PS5.

Cockney15d ago

He was head of games back in don mattricks day so he should be held accountable for his involvement, the back half of the 360 gen and start of xbone lack of games was all him

Rynxie15d ago

The reason Xbox is not in the Ms graveyard is because of the money they are throwing around to keep the brand alive. Don was just a yes man, the stupidity of the Xbox one was MS doing.

romulus2315d ago

We are well past Don Mattrick at this point, people need to stop using that tired excsue. The issues with xbox for nearly the last ten years have been solely on Phil.

Plague-Doctor2715d ago

The PS3 tanked Sony and they recovered during the same generation. The Wii U tanked Nintendo and they delivered a record setting console only a few years later. At the launch of X1 it was keeping pace with the PS4 and in the US was occasionally beating it.

jwillj2k415d ago (Edited 15d ago )

All he had to do was say “the way forward is to make great games.”, drop the mic and make it happen by any means necessary. If you listen to the interview he gave after redfall came out, you’ll hear him say he thought the game was good to go and the internal team rated the game 85 out of 100. 85!! This shows how out of touch he is. He’s literally an empty vessel just collecting his check, running the division off of data-driven analytics, he doesn’t care about xbox and now pulls a Trump, blaming the clouds for his failures.

Cacabunga15d ago

Says the biggest capitalist company.. this moron should stop talking

sinspirit15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

No.. Phil was in charge of European studios and Kinect implementation since 2008. Those European studios he was in charge of were then full time Kinect developers as he was now in charge of all XBox game studios in 2010. This is why game quality has sucked ever since he was in charge and directly why the legendary Lionhead and the actual Rare devs are not there anymore. Phil is actually more to blame than anyone for the bad game quality and the Kinect push. And especially for the terrible XBox One launch.

He was the spearhead implemented employee for Kinect and Microsoft's new vision. The others were the talking heads appointed by XBox. And, honestly watching some of those old interviews it seemed like those XBox employees were possibly maliciously complient by telling exactly what Microsoft's new agenda was with Kinect and always online without dressing it up.

And directly on topic. No, Phil. Capitalism is voting with your wallet. XBox doing bad financially is in fact because of bad products, disappointments, failed deadlines, and especially lying, misleading, and broken promises for products. If you just released really good games and tried to innovate then you'd had a lot of sales.. oh and GamePass is losing out on a ton of sales which can not be recovered from a few microtransaction purchases, monthly sub costs, or even whales. The math is simple when you could have sold a $70 game 5 million times but instead maybe sold 1 million tops and now have to recoup a quarter billion of revenue from lost sales potential of the one title alone. But now you also don't want to release a lot of first party titles because of the direct loss in sales revenue from day 1 GamePass, and you don't want them to release really good games that take a little more time and money to make because you want them to be cost effective for GamePass release. So you intentionally plan to release a lot of AAA shortcomings at this point because the AAA badge is needed but you can't do it too well or GamePass will never actually profit. Even though they had said GamePass is profitable, it is absolutely not by much and never will be. And, they said that Zune was profitable a long time ago but they combined it with an entire category of products when Zune itself was bleeding money. They lose far too many direct sales that even the most generous math can not see how they could be making much money if any at all to make up for this business practice. This is what happens when marketing and trend chasing fool a business into pursuing the wrong thing to stay relevant when the clear answer all along was that they always did good when they just supported developers making genuinely full and good games.

Babadook714d ago (Edited 14d ago )

I kind of agree with you, but Phil is partly to blame.

I blame Peter Moore (for leaving). Everything went to pot soon after.

PapaBop14d ago

How many years ago was this now? I'll give him some credit for what he inherited but lets be honest, he hasn't exactly done anything praise worthy and has done a terrible job managing the studios Microsoft owns.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
Eonjay15d ago

I thought he said it was Gen Z. I can't keep up.

Hofstaderman15d ago

Its Gen Z who are extremely capitilist. Lol, Phil is a clown of note.

15d ago
fr0sty15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

He's kinda right, shareholders expect constant growth, which is unsustainable, but it is what they expect nonetheless. That's why, even though the games industry is healthy as it has ever been, because it isn't growing, everyone in the industry is panicking. Even though we're still selling just as many consoles as ever, they expect each generation to just keep on growing and growing, and when that doesn't happen, they start to freak out.

This is true of any industry, and it's why anytime a company goes public, their products usually end up going to shit. The shareholders expect more and more and more growth, cuz they want that stock price to keep climbing, and so eventually corners start getting cut, wages start getting cut, employees start getting cut, they start cutting away everywhere they can to try to squeeze a little bit more money out of the product, until they ruin it, and then they move on to the next product.

buffig15d ago

Yeah, but everyone knows how capitalism works. This part didn't need explaining. The problem is that they bought massive plublishers for a gazillion dollars, to the detriment of the industry and now he's acting like he has no choice but to fire thousands of people because he just found out about nasty capitalism

TheEnigma31315d ago

Why I'm glad companies like Valve stayed private.

SyntheticForm14d ago

He'd never blame himself, so he's trying to score points with the kids by blaming capitalism. One of the biggest capitalists is blaming capitalism for his and Xbox's failure.

fr0sty14d ago

I agree with you, which is why I said he's "kinda" right... he's right in the fact that capitalism is behind a lot of investors freaking out that the games industry, while still healthy, is not continually growing unsustainably, but he's also being hypocritical in the same breath after buying half the industry and then laying off thousands of them, and using his own business practices as an excuse to cover for his failures.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
mandf15d ago

It won't be until halo and gears are on playstation that xbox fans see phil for who he is. A snake fighting only for himself. The video game industry means nothing to him just his paycheck to those who believe phil is passionate and loves video games you are part of the problem. You never hold ms accountable.

Minute Man 72115d ago

Halo and Gears only when Microsoft drops outta the console market

-Foxtrot15d ago

They don't need to drop out of the market for that to happen

They will always have some kind of console going forward but Halo and Gears could only be a few years away at this rate.

Next gen might look completely different

Tacoboto15d ago

I'd actually hope for Halo to come to PS and Nintendo at this point.

The community rejected a mictotransaction option so MCC is no longer maintained - no new revenue streams and Microsoft listened. Infinite is on Content Updates now instead of Seasons - dwindling playerbase and less excitement. If MS wants the franchise to thrive, that's free money and the same could essentially be said for Gears bringing them abroad.

FinalFantasyFanatic15d ago

@Tacoboto,
To be fair, Halo Infinite had a rocky start to begin with, I think they improved for a while, but fell behind again.

shinoff218315d ago

The writings on the all in huge fking letters. Just read it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 15d ago
phoenixwing15d ago

I don't blame Phil for that in the slightest. If you were offered to be an executive of a company 9 out of 10 ppl would take the job for the salary and give little crap about how they feel about any given product they sell. He's not wrong that capitalism drives greedy companies but you have to take the good with the bad.

staticall15d ago

@phoenixwing
But the person is doing a bad job and the company (including customers) are suffering because of that, how can you not blame him? The reason for high paying is the decisions you make and the responsibility you take for your actions steering the company in the right direction (if company is doing bad, it's your fault; if company is doing good, it's because of your decisions).

It reminds me of that South Park Bill Owens parody ("Follow that egg" episode), a governor who wants all the money and recognition/respect, but doesn't want to take any responsibility, how backwards is that?!

Petebloodyonion15d ago

@Staticall
Agree but what are your metrics for doing a bad job?
Is Microsoft's share value tanking due to its decision?
Is brand awareness worse than in 2016?

As someone who works in investment, this is how I see it and why Spencer's still around.
1) Grow the Xbox brand awareness by including PC and Gamepass making it a stronger brand by name versus 2015.
2) Showed a plan to evolve profitability by having multiple sources of recurrent income with Gamepass, PC gaming, streaming, and now other platforms
3) made new market integration possible via PC and cloud.
4) Can make hard decisions for the good of the company like cutting jobs.

staticall14d ago

@Petebloodyonion
I would say, we shouldn't look at Microsoft themselves, they have a ton of revenue streams - Windows sales, hardware sales, Office sales, Azure, government contracts, certification programs, etc. We need to look at Xbox - hardware sales are in decline (Xbox 360 > Xbox One > Xbox Series S + X combined). GamePass subscribers aren't growing enough and, according to the Microsoft docs, are at plateau. Games sales are abysmal (both physical and digital, thanks to "Day one on GamePass"). Xbox exclusives doesn't exist anymore (every game is coming to PC). And it didn't start yesterday, this was happening for a long-long time.

In my eyes, brand recognition doesn't mean much, if it doesn't translate to console sales, because Phil took away every reason to buy Xbox console for a regular customer (i used to own Xbox 360 and saw 0 reasons to own Xbox One or Xbox Series).

I would also argue that he didn't make any hard decisions, at least when it comes to games: Crackdown 3, Redfall, Halo Infinite - he was saying that those games are looking fine only to be laughed at on presentation/release. But i would consider that a low blow, because he did cut some jobs. But not from top management (who are responsible for the decisions).

In my eyes, as a console owner/gamer, doing good job as a platform holder = supporting your console with high quality exclusive games (like Nintendo and Sony are doing). I'm fine with releasing the games afterwards on PC, but not right away (otherwise, what's the point of a console?!). Extra services are fine (like PS+ or GamePass, or cloud stuff), but they wouldn't be a reason to buy a console for me. Phil is overfocusing on extra services, not on games. And it doesn't work out and haven't worked out for what, 10 years already? Sorry, i feel like i'm rambling at this point.

Nooderus15d ago

He's a Microsoft executive. Duh

S2Killinit15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

Agree except I think the real snake is MS itself. They are a terrible company. This clown is just the hired man for the job.

phoenixwing15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

Thats basically what I'm trying to say and if you really want to get down to it. It's the board of directors for the company who makes this stuff happen.

jznrpg15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

@Phoenixeing it’s his job as the head of the division to tell those people I think you are wrong and for success we need to this - that’s literally his job. MS motto is a big problem and Phil going a long with it is also his fault. He’s the one guy who can say something.

Abear2115d ago

Agreed they are the problem.

M$ doesn’t care about the quality of the game, they care about the profitability of the game.

When you work for a Co. like M$ you know this. It’s all about money—not the “art” or what’s healthy in the industry for devs and/or the consumers.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
M3talDiamond15d ago

First its Gen Z now its capitalism but we can all agree that it definitely isn't Phil

JackBNimble15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

If it wasn't for capitalism there would be no xbox or Microsoft for that matter. But as the head of xbox division it is his responsibility no matter good or bad .... that's what it means to be the boss. If that's to much for him, then he needs to resign.

-Foxtrot15d ago

Kind of funny because when it comes to capitalism Microsoft is one of those great big American companies that just screams it.

They spent billions on Minecraft, Zenimax and Activision yet couldn't afford to save all those jobs they cut. With the money they make within a year they could have, someway.

PhillyDonJawn15d ago ShowReplies(3)
FinalFantasyFanatic15d ago

They've been swallowing up a lot of AI companies too and spending big on that area.

S2Killinit15d ago

If MS gets into AI they will cause the end of humanity the way they are causing the end of console gaming.

FinalFantasyFanatic14d ago

@S2Killinit,

It's between Microsoft and Google, the chances are one of those two will take the AI crown considering the amount of cash they're throwing at that sector. I suppose Microsoft might be the worst out of the two, but Google hasn't been exactly great compared to the old days when they threw around their old adage of "do no evil".

Silly Mammo15d ago

MS is making millions of dollars annually with the Xbox brand. Unfortunately, they're spending billions on acquisitions too

8bitAssassin14d ago

Game Pass games are not free.

Christopher15d ago

He also blames his bank account balance on capitalism.

PhillyDonJawn14d ago

I don't think it work like that. MS is the parent company. The branch has its own budget to maintain.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 14d ago
thorstein15d ago

Making millions, taking million dollar salaries and bonuses but it's the dev in the chair that's preventing profit?

Yeah okay, Phil.

Show all comments (146)
320°

Phil Spencer, long cast as Xbox's saviour, may be remembered as the man who killed it

Nathan Brown: "Phil Spencer spoke to the press at GDC last week, offering some context/spin on Microsoft’s recent manoeuvres, while dropping a few now-customary hints about the Xbox division’s future plans. I take one issue with this: I am no longer sure Xbox has much of a future to speak of. Moreover: I think Phil Spencer, for so long cast as Xbox’s saviour, may ultimately be remembered as the man who killed it."

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
17d ago
gold_drake17d ago

his decisions over the years were definitely questionable at best.

but MS let him be the head of xbox for this long, so they either dont have anyone else for the job or .. we'll i dont rly know any other reason haha.

-Foxtrot17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

Basically when we had that awful Xbox One reveal in 2013 and Don Mattrick was thrown under the bus as the companies scape goat Phil was pretty much the only one they had who wasn't a typical looking "corporate suit".

Despite the fact him being the head of Microsoft Game Studios and gladly going along with the lack of games nearing the end of the Xbox 360 life where it was basically Kinect, Sports, TV along with the same 3-4 IPs like Halo or Gears he was the best person they had for the job.

They didn't have anyone else basically and from that day onward he was seen as good guy Phil turning the studio around when all he was doing was reversing the silly decisions made and going along with whatever the higher ups or the board wanted for Xbox. Didn't make a difference in the end because everything they "reversed" with the awful Xbox One reveal ended up being implemented in small different ways surgically in recent years with Gamepass.

The guy apparently is such a huge gamer yet played Crackdown 3 and Redfall, thought they were good and released them anyway in those states.

PapaBop17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

Not a typical looking corporate suit? The guy straight up looks like a used car salesman lol. To be fair, after Mattrick, I think anyone with half a brain could succeed him and look semi decent, whenever I think of his name, I immediately remember that "this is how to share your games" video from Sony.

S2Killinit17d ago

when I look at him, its cringe. The guy dresses casually to fool people. But he is as corporate as it gets.

fr0sty17d ago

His cocky smirk I've always found to be incredibly annoying...

MrDead17d ago

I would say his "why bother making games when others are already" decision is what has lead them here. MS does this, but they just buy companies that they want to do a thing then asset strip it and dump it, you can't do that in gaming.

Tody_ZA17d ago

He's the head of Xbox because Microsoft isn't a gaming company and they haven't done anything for gaming in more than a decade. They're a parent company looking to buy more kids to raise as investments. They will profit off ownership, off their games releasing on other platforms, because they can't create anything themselves. Slowly they'll make Xbox as a console completely irrelevant under the mantra of play anywhere. That's why Phil is still there. He shares their corporate vision of making bucks and doing nothing for the gaming industry.

SubtilizZer17d ago

“If they don’t have a story these days they’ll make one”
Drake.

RhinoGamer8817d ago

Phil's top skill is keeping his job, growing his net worth to over $25million, all while underperforming...

SeTTriP17d ago

Gotta respect it, he went from a gaming studio head to making 70billion dollar deals...he is the main character I gotta admit.he looks fun to hang around too.

MrDead17d ago

...why do I feel like I need a shower after reading that? One of the grossest thing I've heard, S tier blowing bubbles grovelling.

jznrpg17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

I don’t respect moves that make gaming worse long term

XBManiac17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

(Phil 'wait for next year' Spencer)
Microsoft made the 71,933 millions deal because it was already started and, with Microsoft, it is not possible to go back and stop it. Does anybody think that deal would be an option in 2023 or 2024, with the nowadays sitiation of the industry? And in 2022? No, nobody would pay that money for Activision-blizzard-king... because it would not be recovered in more than 20 years of really hard and good work. Everybody are selling for less, not buying for more (Embracer, Tencent...). But bad decisions in a company like Microsoft are impossible to fix. It is like a very big Ministery, where if something starts, it can't be stopped. It happened before and Microsoft will do the same again, as they have enough money to burn... well... I hope, because if Microsoft dies... it will be the end of our known world. What could substitute it?

_Decadent_Descent17d ago

I mean, that does take a certain skill. lol

FinalFantasyFanatic17d ago

I guess he has skill as a salesman, look how long he managed to get people to wait on Xbox.

Show all comments (54)