Xbox Exec Calls Out Franchise Handling as 'Worst Decision'

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer reflects on past strategic missteps and acknowledges significant missed opportunities within the dynamic gaming industry. This article explores his candid remarks regarding key decisions and provides updates on anticipated Xbox game releases.

Missed Opportunities: Destiny and Guitar Hero

During a PAX West 2024 interview, Spencer discussed pivotal moments in his career, including regrettable decisions to pass on major franchises. He cited Bungie's Destiny and Harmonix's Guitar Hero as examples of significant missed opportunities, labeling them among the worst choices of his tenure. While acknowledging his close relationship with Bungie during his early years at Xbox, Spencer admitted that Destiny's initial appeal eluded him, only appreciating its potential later with the House of Wolves expansion. Similarly, he expressed initial skepticism towards Guitar Hero's concept.

Dune: Awakening Faces Xbox Release Challenges

Despite past setbacks, Spencer maintains a forward-looking perspective. Xbox is actively pursuing new partnerships, including Funcom's Dune: Awakening, an action RPG slated for release on Xbox Series S, PC, and PS5. However, Funcom's chief product officer, Scott Junior, highlighted challenges optimizing Dune: Awakening for the Xbox Series S, citing this as the reason for a PC-first release strategy. He assured gamers that the game will perform well even on older hardware.

Entoria: The Last Song Encounters Xbox Release Delays

Indie developer Jyamma Games' Entoria: The Last Song faced significant delays on Xbox due to a lack of communication and response from Microsoft. The game, reportedly ready for release on both Series S and X, is launching on PlayStation 5 and PC, leaving the Xbox version's future uncertain. Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed frustration over the lack of response from Xbox, highlighting the financial investment already made in the Xbox port. The studio is actively seeking a resolution to release the game on Xbox as soon as possible.