Xbox Has Made the \"Worst Decisions\" with Big Franchises Says Phil Spencer

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer recently reflected on past decisions, acknowledging some significant missed opportunities and what he considers the "worst decisions" in Xbox's history. This candid reflection coincides with news about upcoming Xbox game releases, some facing unexpected hurdles.

Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Reflects on Past Mistakes

Missed Opportunities: Destiny and Guitar Hero

At PAX West 2024, Phil Spencer discussed key moments in his career, including significant franchises that eluded Xbox. He cited Bungie's Destiny and Harmonix's Guitar Hero as examples of decisions he now views as among the worst he's made. Despite his close relationship with Bungie during his early years at Xbox, Destiny's initial concept didn't resonate with him until later. Similarly, he initially doubted the potential of Guitar Hero.

Spencer emphasized that he doesn't dwell on past regrets, focusing instead on current projects and future opportunities.

Dune: Awakening Faces Xbox Release Challenges

While acknowledging past missteps, Xbox is actively pursuing major franchises. Dune: Awakening, developed by Funcom, is slated for release on Xbox Series S, alongside PC and PS5. However, Funcom's Chief Product Officer, Scott Junior, revealed challenges in optimizing the game for the Xbox Series S, leading to a PC-first release strategy. He assured gamers that the game will ultimately perform well even on older hardware.

Entoria: The Last Song Encounters Xbox Release Delays

Indie developer Jyamma Games' Entoria: The Last Song experienced significant delays on Xbox, just weeks before its planned September 19th release. The studio attributed the delay to a lack of communication and response from Microsoft regarding their submission, despite having a version ready for both Xbox Series S and X. Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting the financial investment made in porting the game and the lack of support from Xbox. The game will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, with the Xbox release remaining uncertain. Greco publicly questioned Xbox's lack of communication and response on the game's official Discord channel and in statements to gaming news outlets.