Lack of games, layoffs, Hi-Fi Rush, Forza, Xbox boss responds! | Xbox One
The day after Developer_Direct, Phil Spencer spoke at length in the IGN columns. In an interview with Xbox boss Kat Bailey, he touched on many topics. Cuts at Microsoft at the release of Forza Motorsport or the situation at Xbox two years after the launch of the next generation of consoles, here is something to keep in mind.
“2022 was very light in terms of games”
Among the first points raised during the interview was how Phil Spencer envisions 2023 and specifically asked how to create positive momentum after 2022, which is very weak in releases for Xbox.
The Xbox boss first said that the feeling is obviously completely different internally because the teams know what’s going on behind the scenes and what games are being developed; they also know what to expect for June’s Xbox Showcase. Nevertheless, he is responsible for a very weak 2022 for the brand:
Our commitment to our fans is to regularly release great games for people to play on our platform, and we haven’t done enough of that in 2022, there’s no doubt. And mostly, it’s my fault. I am the head of the company.
Our commitment to continuing to deliver quality games to our customers is something I take seriously, the teams take seriously, and 2022 was very light on games. So we’re excited to have Developer Direct as we move into 2023. I felt very good with the games we played. And then to know that Starfield is a game that we can show off on its own show and start 2023 off with a good push, I think we needed that.
Forza Motorsport will do well in 2023
Developer_Direct was an opportunity to announce the release dates of Minecraft Legends and Redfall, while celebrating the occasion with a surprise launch of Hi-Fi Rush. For Phil Spencer early in the year it was important to show games, play and give dates. While he says he’s happy to launch Hi-Fi Rush, he also admits he’s hesitant to move forward with release dates:
I’m hesitant to continue releases because I know there’s some fatigue, and rightfully so, in the community about us saying, “Hey, wait a minute, wait a minute. That was one of the great reasons for running Hi-Fi Rush during the show so we could get the games out.
Many gamers were upset and disappointed that Forza Motorsport missed its release date.
While Jeff Grubb yesterday hinted at the possibility of the title being pushed back to the third quarter of 2023, Phil Spencer confirmed that it is indeed a game planned for this year, but wanting to be sure of its quality, he did not elaborate on its release date. :
I know you have questions about the history of Forza Motorsport because we only talked about 2023. Everyone should know that the quality that Turn 10 gives to Motorsport will be in this game if you look at the story. Most importantly, first of all, we will give a date, we are definitely a little closer to the release. But we wanted to reassure people that this is the 2023 game.
2023 is an important year for Xbox
While it may be a while back, it seems more true than ever that 2023 will be a defining year for Microsoft. When Phil Spencer is asked where we are in the console generation and how things are going for the Xbox, which seems to have seen a lot of shake-up, he answers:
As far as where we are as Xbox, I’m incredibly confident in the plan, strategy and teams we have in place. Just today we had a meeting with the whole team and talked about the way forward. We’re in the entertainment industry, and the entertainment industry is one that’s always built on unpredictable successes. As you say, we’re seeing it right now with Hi-Fi Rush. It’s a business driven by the hearts of people who fall in love with what you’re building, and also by insisting on being bold as an organization.
This team has done things we didn’t expect from them like Game Pass and xCloud. When I look at the games we’ve built and the platform ambition we have, it gives me more confidence in the direction we’re going.
But it is certain that the gaming sector is not for the faint of heart, nor for teams that want to play it safe. I love the ambition of the Xbox team and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.
“My commitment is to the company, customers and teams”
As we know, Microsoft is going through tough times and recently announced that it has lost 10,000 employees in various sectors, including Xbox. Regarding the current difficult period, he notes the following:
As someone who has worked with Xbox for a very long time, it’s always difficult not having a colleague, a team member around in the future. I take the impact on individuals wholeheartedly. I consider it my duty and responsibility as a business leader to create a safe space where people can perform at their best. Obviously we had drops for some people there. That’s why I wasn’t completely successful at this level.
When asked what assurances he can give fans and gamers that Xbox is on the right track, he says:
My commitment is to the company, to the customers, to the teams. I think running a successful business is part of creating a stable place for our team members. At Xbox, our long-term vision is to build our experience around the player, to allow creators to create games that reach players on any screen they want to play on, and to provide different ways for players to build their libraries. games, subscribing to their games, things like xCloud and things we do on PC. I strongly believe in this vision.
Of course, for those affected by the recent events, it is hoped that the situation internally will improve soon.
On the public side, Microsoft and Xbox enjoyed a successful Developer_Direct, during which we were treated to reassuring information about upcoming games, as well as the surprise release of Hi-Fi Rush. Tango Gameworks game not only delights Xbox players, but also PC players through the Steam platform, where it is extremely well received.
Needless to say, we can’t wait to see what the company has in store for us this year and deliver on the promises of big games like Redfall, Forza Motorsport and of course Starfield.
