690°

Phil Spencer: here's why you'll need to be online

"I mean the analogy, and I don't know if it's a great analogy… let's say I live in an area that doesn't have cell service. I wouldn't go buy a cell phone. Now, I might roam in different areas where my cellphone becomes active."

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destructoid.com
Gazondaily3965d ago

Phil Spencer just dodged the questions really. I still don't understand why its mandatory to sign in at least once a day.

DxTrixterz3965d ago

Either to see if the game is a legal copy or you still own it.

US8F3965d ago

Or maybe phil spencer that you might not get that big fat bonus check you were promised if MS is not successful.

abzdine3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

hahaha and the show goes on! what they dont know is that sometimes i freaking dont want to be online.

dantesparda3965d ago

So should all smartphones apps stop working if you dont check in every 24hrs Phil? Such bullsh!t, keep digging MS, keep digging. Arrogant bastards

theaceh3965d ago

It's because the Xbox One is more than just a gamming console... its a digital parole officer!

JokesOnYou3965d ago

"I mean the analogy, and I don't know if it's a great analogy… let's say I live in an area that doesn't have cell service. I wouldn't go buy a cell phone."

I mean that says it all...X1 is a online console, dont buy it if you dont want to be connected or live in a area that doesnt have internet. Thank fully I like the benefit of being connected where my content goes wherever I go.

famoussasjohn3965d ago

That doesn't make sense considering that they require us to install the game and gives us the option of playing the game without the disc being in the drive.

bootsielon3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

@JokesOnYou Joke's on you

badz1493965d ago

that's when you know he's DESPERATE!

"I mean the analogy, and I don't know if it's a great analogy…" - NO, PHIL! THAT's not a great analogy, in fact, it's STUPID!

you can't put the XBone in your pocket now is it?

your phones doesn't REQUIRE you to be online once everyday is it?

and you don't get to buy discs for your phone's apps are you?

see how STUPID that analogy is?

dumahim3965d ago

@JokesOnYou

You better not decide to take your Xbox to a place without an internet connection.

BallsEye3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

Is it so bad with internet in America? In europe 100 MBps cost 12 euro(16 USD) a month ( even in poorest european countries slowest connection is 10mbps which cost 7 euro). I was living in a small town before with only a little over 1000 people living there... I had 50mbps connection as cheap as bread.

Kleptic3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

^its horrible in America...Horrible...

I live about 90 miles west of Pittsburgh, PA...a fairly 'normal' sized city in the US. I do have broadband access, but without a cable TV package, the cost starts at $60 a month after your 6 months of reduced price for being a new customer...and there is only a single provider available in my area...

if i drive 15 miles from my home, in nearly any direction...broadband isn't available for residential customers...only businesses can access it, and only by paying through the teeth to have the wires run...

i won't even talk about mobile broadband, we're lucky to have voice calls...

While it is true that nearly any urban area has no problem with broadband access...urban areas don't even make up a quarter of the country...Just a 1 hour drive into the pocono mountains from New York City, and they don't even know what broadband is...

this is very common in a lot of the US...this place is still 70%+ farm land. Its almost a 100% guarantee at this point after sony's announcements; MS is going to drop that always on thing...there is NO WAY they'll remotely put up a fight if they keep that policy...

SilentNegotiator3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

@JOY

So you've never had connection issues? And you don't think people should be able to enjoy SP games without internet because Xbone is nonsensically "an online (required) console"?

Stop trying so hard with your "OH U DONT HAZ INTERNET AT ALL? XBAUX IS ONLINE SYSTEM!" crap.

Do you EVER get tired of sucking up anything the Microsoft corporation feeds you?

dillydadally3965d ago

His explanation doesn't even make sense and is almost insulting he thinks we'll buy it! The products he's taking about have no problem letting you play local content if you go offline and the media he's taking about is small or streamable! I'm not going to go away from my home console and download a flipping bluray sized game just to play it! But you know what I might do? Bring my disc! His answer doesn't even apply and there is no real excuse other than anti consumerist, draconian DRM!

Narutone663964d ago

Here's Don Mattrick's recommendation for those who don't have internet connections: http://www.youtube.com/watc...

SilentGuard3964d ago (Edited 3964d ago )

They can still keep their DRM policies by only requiring connections during game installs. Their is no need to require check-ins every 24 hours.

+ Show (12) more repliesLast reply 3964d ago
GamerToons3965d ago

What a tool.

You can do all of that on your PS4.

It's a BS lie. Just like EA tried to spin SimCity is an MMO BS

georgeenoob3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

I hope you fanboys do know that you're only making MS stronger. When fanboys bitched about games, look what happened e3. Now we wait for their next move on this.

dantesparda3965d ago

You're calling people "fanboys" when you are one obvious diehard MS fanboy.

StanLee3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

You know, at the beginning of this current gen, Microsoft was criticized for monetizing online play with Live. Turns out, they were right; it was a bold move that proved hugely successful. The criticisms today aren't any different, they're taking bold steps to connect users with each other and their content and they'll be proven right again. Case in point, look at Sony's attempt to now monetize online play on the PS4 after realizing how successful a model it was. The internet has a vocal community but it's the minority. I think sometimes, it's better to just take a wait and see approach to see the benefits to users rather than leveling criticism.

dennett3163965d ago

Uh, what? You know if they backtrack on this that it will be very humiliating for their corporate image, right?
Also, it wasn't just "fanboys" (ahh, the throwing around of that word when somebody has an opinion you don't like) criticising MS for their original reveal, a lot of Xbox fans were unimpressed as well.
If you think all the criticism is just coming from trolls and fanboys, well you've got your head deeper in the sand than Microsoft do.

StanLee3965d ago

@ dennett316

I don't think fanboys and trolls are the only ones with criticisms. I think there is general concern that Microsoft's policy could disenfranchise some users but that's a small minority I believe and I believe the numbers will bear this out in the end. If you read what Phil Spencer said, you see Microsoft's thinking.

DARK WITNESS3965d ago

Then you should be happy we have been bitching...

Can you imagine what the MS E3 would have been like if there had not been all this rage..

you would have had another 1hr+ of TV, sports, more tv, sports... and they would have showed 10 sec teasers for all the games.

JackBNimble3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

@ Stanlee

You know you don't have to own an always online console to be connected. MS could have done the same dam thing with xbone with out always online.

dillydadally3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

What an ignorant statement. A lot of these "fanboys", including myself and all my friends, were Xbox 360 owners but are now reluctantly switching to PS4. Only a true fanboy would still stand up for MS after the incredible amount of anti consumerist, draconian principles they are trying to push on us! We just don't want to support such an evil company and shame on anyone who defends them!

I mean even this guys explanation is offensive in that he basically insulting us thinking we are stupid enough not to realize his statements don't even apply to the always on DRM. If it was just a service so we can connect anywhere, why can't we play single player games without internet? You can on the devices he's talking about! The answerer is he is lying! It's nothing about this and everything about DRM and his explanation doesn't even make sense. I mean, if I'm away from my home console, I can't stream the game to another device and I'm not going to download a bluray sized game just to play! This model doesn't even apply to games! He's lying to us! And you defend him!

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3965d ago
callahan093965d ago

"Any other device that you own, your library is digital. Frankly, if you're on the PC, or a Steam customer, or an App Store customer on iOS devices -- this is how you think about your library of content."

PHIL!! I don't need to check in with Apple every 24 hours to use the content I download from the App Store. I don't need to check in with Steam every 24 hours to use the content I download from Steam. Are you following me? This is quite significantly different. Do you know what DID require constant check-ins to play? Sim City 4. Diablo 3. These games were PANNED by fans for that policy. People hated it. You shouldn't be going down this road.

Death3965d ago

GameCenter on your iphone is constantly "checking in" while you play. Steam does the same thing when you boot up your computer or launch a Steam game.

famoussasjohn3965d ago

Death - Gamecenter doesn't work if you don't set up an account. The games will still work without a problem. You won't receive achievements and such, but it's not a mandatory feature.

Death3965d ago

It's not mandatory, but it limits the gaming experience. If you want to use the online features, you need to set it up.

Phil is essentially saying the XboxOne is geared towards customers that want the full experience of being connected. It's not marketed towards people looking for a purely offline system. If Microsoft had close to 50 million Live subscribers, they are targeting them as potential customers, His analogy about cell phones sums it up. You aren't going to buy a cellphone if you aren't going to subscribe to cell service. Sure, you can still use the calculator in it, but at that point you should probably just buy a calculator.

callahan093965d ago

Death, of course not going online with your games limits the features and experience. That's a no-brainer. But having online features as an option to expand the experience, and requiring online in order to play any of the experience AT ALL, are two totally different things.

PiTCHBLaCK3965d ago

@ Death

Steam does not Check in when you boot up your PC and you can start steam in offline mode.

gaffyh3964d ago

@Death - Nobody wants a purely offline or online system, people want CHOICE. This systems takes choice out of the equation, which means if your internet goes down, or XBL servers go down, or your network hardware gets damaged at some point for more than 24 hours, you are basically left without a gaming system.

MS is basically pushing their consumers towards PS4. They are basically saying, "You can buy a PS4 for the times when the internet is off", which is the stupidest decision ever.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3964d ago
GuyThatPlaysGames3965d ago

That feature is the stupidest thing I ever heard of. MS shot themselves in the foot with this one.

StanLee3965d ago

Okay, I know this is asking a lot but, intelligently, no trolling, what are your criticisms of the policy? Because in it's simplicity, it's not asking owners to do anything the majority don't already do daily. If you're here criticizing, you're not one of those persons who will be marginalized by the policy. This is a serious question and I invite anyone else to detail their complaints intelligently as well. Keep in mind, "it's Marxists!", isn't a complaint.

mydyingparadiselost3965d ago

@Stan
Once the server is gone your games are gone and your left with a brick and some blu ray coasters. If your internet is shut off, brick and coaster. This digital future of all installed games is complimented by a hard drive that is nowhere near big enough for the amount of games most gamers buy. These 'features' limit what can be done with your games and where it can be done at. If I want to take my console over to a friends (or anywhere for that matter) to show off they better have an intenet connection or brick and coaster. The digital content that is provided on most 'always connected' devices is cheap, like under ten dollars and usually just a dollar cheap, but so far no info on game prices going down even though your basically just renting your games for as long as M$ wants you to play them. And how about choice? Just the choice to buy a used game from a friend or on ebay or loan out games as I see fit? Oh yea, and all those other devices that store all your information and constantly connect to the net, the ones with the cameras and the facebook apps, are being monitored non stop by the US government all the time which makes putting a camera in the middle of your home with easy access to the net at all times a little ridiculous to me. But whatever, I'm sure there's all kinds of benefits to having a console that's always connected, just not as many as one that gives a choice.

FunkMacNasty3965d ago

Yea, I'm not sure what he means by this either:

'Spencer points out that these days people expect their library to be with them."Any other device that you own, your library is digital. Frankly, if you're on the PC, or a Steam customer, or an App Store customer on iOS devices -- this is how you think about your library of content."'

I don't think about my gaming library needin to to 'move' with me. This is a rediculous statement, or I have no clue what he's really getting at. This might be different if we were still in an age of split-screen 2-player gaming. For all of Microsoft's alleged glimpse into the future, they seem to be ignoring the fact that 97% of multiplayer gaming is done via internet these days.. we have no need to take our gaming library anywhere

smh..

KingKevo3965d ago

Simple: Authentication, downloading new ads and uploading the data Kinect has collected.

That's really everything I can think of and it all sucks.

TheTwelve3965d ago

Microsoft has no choice but to truly show clear reason for their policies...and promote them as good for you consumers. Good luck!

12

BallsEye3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

The thing is, with xbox one you can play your games (or people's profiles who are chosen as your family members) on ANY xbox one ANYWHERE without the disc. Because you can play those games without the disc on any xbox one it requires you to check in to make sure 10 different consoles are not using games bought by 1 user in the same time. I admit it's not needed, they could'v done this better but it is what it is. Doesn't really affect me since I'm ALWAYS online when I'm on my console or PC. Still IMO they should ditch the retardd 24h check-in and think of something more consumer friendly.

PiTCHBLaCK3965d ago

I Know, It sounds so good right? Steam has that to. But XBO is a Console, people prefer Discs on Consoles. on Steam the games are fully Digital, you d/l your game. on XBO you buy a Disc and it acts like a transfer thingy(stupid), then once It's on your XBO and tied to your Account nobody else can use your game. MS is saying "It's still theres , yes even though you bought it you're just renting it" since you have no say as to what happens to it.

Logging into your account from any XBO will allow you to play any game on your account but this Isn't some new Tech, many things on PC already do this, The downfall is on the XBO the HDD is only 500 GB. MS's vision is for everything to be fully Digital eventually. That means, no Trade ins, no Lending, no Sales...NOTHING. Many people will lose Jobs and all games will still be $60. We suffer, MS and Developers gain. PS4 for the win!.

BallsEye3964d ago

@waltercross

As I said, I don't like it too but it's something that has to happen. Back in the day when there was no internet I loved my monthly press collection. We were exchanging it with friends, it was awesome. Now gaming press is almost dead, everything is on internet and eventho everyone complained about it at first now no one cares. Same thing will happen with gaming, everything will go digital no matter how you feel about it. It is the future, even if it's not the future you'd want.

wellard3964d ago

And Phil Spencer, here's why your fans are switching to Playstation.

DarthJay3964d ago

I'll explain it to you: modded Xbox's. It's a problem. It has been for a long time. No one wants to talk about it. No one wants to accept responsibility. Almost everyone I know that has an Xbox, at one point or another, has had a modded Xbox, myself included. It's not something I am particularly proud of but it was something that was so easy to do. Most people that mod their Xbox's use them offline. Some people use them online and eventually they get caught.

I would love some data on how many Xbox's they have found that have been modded. It's a bigger problem than people want to admit. So when people ask what brought them to this point, it's not really hard to figure out why. I'm not going to justify why I did it because there is no justifying, and it doesn't matter that I ended up purchasing most of the games I downloaded. It was wrong, and in the end, people like me that at any point had a modded console are the reason Microsoft has chosen to walk this path.

The cell phone comparison is a good one, and it's not surprising that it is lost on people. His point was that if you can't get reception where you live, you don't buy a cell phone. If you live in a tropical climate, you're probably not putting an ice skating rink in your back yard. If someone lives in an area where internet is a challenge, then maybe this console is not going to be right for that person. Clearly they are building the games in a way that they are not going to work properly without an internet connection, therefor, if you want to play them offline, there could be problems. Yes, they are essentially preventing people from buying their console, and it doesn't make sense, but that's a decision they will have to live with.

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with what they are saying, simply breaking it down instead of turning it into the constant pissing match of one liners that it always seems to devolve into. The reality is that for many people, this will never, ever, ever, ever be an issue. Ever. Do I love the direction? Again, no. I think it is abundantly clear that the 24 hour thing HAS to be dropped. There really is no two ways about it.

What is getting frustrating is the constant need to shame and insult people that want an Xbox One some people seem to have. I'm buying both and I am 100% stoked to have them both. None of these seemingly life or death issues remotely concern me. I really don't see a need to go beyond that. I really don't see how my personal decision effects anyone else. You don't want one? Oh well.

MoveTheGlow3964d ago (Edited 3964d ago )

Consoles weren't supposed to be cell phones, Spencer. We got them because they *didn't* do what cell phones do. If your console is just a hybrid of a PC and a cell phone, we don't want it. Especially people in developing countries don't want it. Ugh. Change or lose, Xbone!

Also, giving a cell phone analogy really doesn't work when you're talking about modding. I mean, how big is the Android market? Those things are still rootable, and still constantly modded. And they should be. They're *your* phones.

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 3964d ago
GameCents3965d ago

Microsoft, this is not the toe to dig your heels deeper into the ground.

Wizziokid3965d ago

Phil you can't defend the Xbox 1 at this point.

Why o why3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

You're wrong....he IS doing his job.....as a double agent. ......and doing it well

Conan-O-Brady3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

I think you're thinking of former Sony exec Phil Harrison.

Why o why3965d ago

Yeah, my mistake... I was.

JeffGUNZ3965d ago

Defend what? This is the way of the future. Digital downloading is going to be the norm in a few years. I have internet, so for me, I don't care one bit. If one is too cheap to pay for internet, then they shouldn't be spending 400-500 on a next gen console. Every area can have internet, even with satellite internet or DSL. The connection requirements to be logged in is so minimal, it's not like you need high speed internet for their 24 check in. For people who are technology sound and have stepped into the 21st century, this is not a big deal. The DRM requirement is pretty standard with digital download and install. You can't let someone buy the game, install it on his hard drive and then sell it or just give it to multiple friends. People here are so ignorant to the fact that MS is actually doing this to protect the video game industry, which helps us in the long run. You still can buy a used Xbox one game, so that isn't an issue. A lot of people are just trying to find anything negative about MS to cry about. Look at the preorders already, many people could careless about the internet connection as most people in the markets MS is targeting have internet.

Wizziokid3965d ago

Enjoy renting your games while I buy mine then.

I want no part of MS and their future plan for gaming.

SkullBlade1693965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

Stop being a tool. There is no reason why I should be required to check in to some dumb service just to sit down and play a single player game for awhile.

People who are defending this console seriously are stupid. If you want to pay more for weaker hardware and all these restrictions, go right ahead.

I don't give a damn what's better for the companies, they make enough money off games already. I'm not going to sacrifice control of my games and system just because some random greedy company wanted to increase their profits by limiting their products.

The machine as a whole is simply inferior, and is more expensive. I'm not going to buy it, simple as that.

DARK WITNESS3965d ago

Jeff, Please.... oh please.... please, don't do this, don't tell me you actually believe that crap !!!

NOoooooo... Jeff, NOOOOooooooooo

LeRise3965d ago

Single player games should be like movies, music or books - they don't need online connection.

JeffGUNZ3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

I don't give a sh*t what you buy, I plan on getting both eventually, but some of the comments below are so uneducated it's pathetic.

@WizzioKid. You're not renting the games, you own a game you buy until you trade it in, simple as that. You don't pay a daily or weekly rate to own the game, it's a flat rate and that's all. I want Dead Rising 3, I can have it for the rest of my life. If you want a PS4, knock yourself out, I am not telling your or suggesting to you which purchase you should make. It's your money, buy what you want.

@ SkullBlade169. Really? They make a lot of money, I guess that's why we had a record number of studios collapse and fall this generation. As tech increases, so does the revenue to produce a game. I don't think you really know how much goes into making next gen or this gen type of games. It's not that I am defending the console, but rather stating for a person like me, who resides in the USA, who is always on wifi, this system with it's always connected doesn't effect me negatively. You know, just like you don't care about what's better for the companies, I don't care that the system will be always connected. Christ, my 360 & PS3 are always connected now. The restrictions are so miniscule in reality but people on here, who hate anything MS related, make internet connection and DRM the end of the world. You still buy games new or used, nothing changes. The DRM is not going to ban one from buying second hand games.

Listen, I loved the PS4 conference as well, but some of the comments about the xbox one are just overkill. Again, get what you want, I respect any consumers opinion on what they spend their earned money on.

rockbottom30763965d ago

Jeff for us not being able to distribute games on steam or ios we pay a lot less for said game typically. Lets not forget xbox really pushed DLC as well to help publishers now we get unfinished games with DLC day one. Microsoft originally bought there exclusivity away from PS3 it was a bold move that worked. PS3 however still has some of the best exclusives this gen while 360 has halo. I appreciate them trying to combat pirates but theres got to be a better way. I'm a life long gamer ripe age of 37 never pirated, and have always had multiple consoles. The Xbox model really doesn't concern me but I'm more SP, BUT If I cannot connect online because of some unforeseen problem and cannot play my game then I have a 500 paperweight

Sideras3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

@JeffGUNZ You can give up your consumer rights all you want. But I'll keep mine thankyouverymuch. I'm a human being not damned cattle.

PiTCHBLaCK3965d ago

@ Jeff

Don't be so blind, Many companies collapsed not just in the Game Industry. Countries are going bankrupted, I suppose you'll blame that on Video game companies not making enough to right?

I have no Idea how you can defend the right to Lend/Sell/Trade in your games to anyone you want.
Don't sit there and try to tell us "But you can!", No...you can only Trade in/Sell your games to participating Retailers. even MS said that, and to Lend out a game you have to deactivate it on your XBO...which in turns requires Internet AGAIN. Then your Buddy needs to pay ANOTHER fee to use it on his XBO, Fuck that. The more I think about MS's BS the madder I get. Up yours MS.

Grindlefly3964d ago

its the check that is the problem. I have no doubt that at some point we will have an all digital console, and ultimately that might be the future, however, if ms are pushing for this include a 1tb hard drive and remove the check. Once something is purchased digitally it should be yours to access whether online or not. All my apps dont stop working on my ipad if i have no wifi

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3964d ago
a_bro3965d ago

Dodging questions for the real reasons I see....

pompombrum3965d ago (Edited 3965d ago )

And here is why you won't need to be online: PS4

/end discussion.

Also lol @ the Happy Gilmore picture.

Show all comments (158)
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.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
isarai14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

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

shinoff218314d 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

VenomUK14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

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

_SilverHawk_14d ago

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

I thought that was supposed to be a decade ago

Ironmike13d ago

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

Obscure_Observer14d 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.

VersusDMC14d 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...

lodossrage14d 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_Observer14d 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...

Markusb3314d 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.

badz14914d 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?

InUrFoxHole14d 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!

Skuletor14d ago

Are they still counted as first party though?

fr0sty14d 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.

northpaws14d ago

@Obscure_Observer

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

rpvenom14d ago

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

wiz719114d 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

wiz719114d 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

Crows9014d 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....

andy8514d ago

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

Profchaos13d 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

TheTony31613d ago

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

mkis00713d ago (Edited 13d 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.

1Victor13d ago (Edited 13d 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 🤷🏿

S2Killinit13d ago (Edited 13d 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 13d ago
darthv7214d ago

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

isarai14d ago (Edited 14d 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

darthv7214d 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.

isarai14d ago (Edited 14d 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.

darthv7214d 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.

neomahi13d 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

S2Killinit13d ago (Edited 13d 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 13d ago
Markusb3314d 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

JackBNimble13d ago

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

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 13d ago
-Foxtrot14d ago

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

RaidenBlack14d ago (Edited 14d 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.)

staticall14d 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.

rippermcrip14d 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.

isarai14d 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

Chevalier14d 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 14d ago
Silly Mammo14d 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

Chocoburger13d ago (Edited 13d 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.

Rols14d ago

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

Brazz14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

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

Skuletor14d ago

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

LG_Fox_Brazil14d ago

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

lodossrage14d ago

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

Hofstaderman14d ago (Edited 14d ago )

#wait till e3 2024

Aloymetal14d 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_Brazil19d ago

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

Profchaos18d 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

VenomUK18d ago (Edited 18d 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.

Cockney18d 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

Rynxie18d 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.

romulus2318d 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-Doctor2718d 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.

jwillj2k418d ago (Edited 18d 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.

Cacabunga18d ago

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

sinspirit18d ago (Edited 18d 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.

Babadook718d ago (Edited 18d 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.

PapaBop17d 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 17d ago
Eonjay18d ago

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

Hofstaderman18d ago

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

18d ago
fr0sty18d ago (Edited 18d 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.

buffig18d 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

TheEnigma31318d ago

Why I'm glad companies like Valve stayed private.

SyntheticForm18d 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.

fr0sty17d 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 17d ago
mandf19d 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 72119d ago

Halo and Gears only when Microsoft drops outta the console market

-Foxtrot19d 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

Tacoboto18d 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.

FinalFantasyFanatic18d 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.

shinoff218318d ago

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

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 18d ago
phoenixwing19d 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.

staticall18d 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?!

Petebloodyonion18d 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.

staticall17d 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.

Nooderus18d ago

He's a Microsoft executive. Duh

S2Killinit18d ago (Edited 18d 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.

phoenixwing18d ago (Edited 18d 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.

jznrpg18d ago (Edited 18d 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.

Abear2118d 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 17d ago
M3talDiamond19d ago

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

JackBNimble18d ago (Edited 18d 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.

-Foxtrot19d 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.

PhillyDonJawn18d ago ShowReplies(3)
FinalFantasyFanatic18d ago

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

S2Killinit18d ago

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

FinalFantasyFanatic17d 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 Mammo18d ago

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

8bitAssassin18d ago

Game Pass games are not free.

Christopher18d ago

He also blames his bank account balance on capitalism.

PhillyDonJawn18d 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 17d ago
thorstein19d 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
21d ago
gold_drake21d 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.

-Foxtrot21d ago (Edited 21d 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.

PapaBop20d ago (Edited 20d 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.

S2Killinit20d ago

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

fr0sty20d ago

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

MrDead20d 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_ZA20d 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.

SubtilizZer21d ago

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

RhinoGamer8820d ago

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

SeTTriP20d 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.

MrDead20d 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.

jznrpg20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

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

XBManiac20d ago (Edited 20d 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_Descent20d ago

I mean, that does take a certain skill. lol

FinalFantasyFanatic20d 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)