Xbox CEO Admits Franchise Missteps

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer recently opened up about some of the biggest missed opportunities in Xbox history, revealing some of the "worst decisions" made regarding major franchises. This article explores his comments and provides updates on upcoming Xbox titles facing release challenges.

Phil Spencer Reflects on Past Decisions

At PAX West 2024, Phil Spencer discussed key moments in his career, including significant franchises that slipped through Xbox's grasp. He cited Bungie's Destiny and Harmonix's Guitar Hero as particularly regrettable missed acquisitions.

Spencer, who joined Xbox when Bungie was under Microsoft's umbrella, admitted that Destiny's initial appeal eluded him, only appreciating its potential after the House of Wolves expansion. Similarly, he expressed initial skepticism towards Guitar Hero's viability. He candidly acknowledged making "some of the worst game-choice decisions."

Despite these setbacks, Spencer emphasized his forward-looking approach, stating he doesn't dwell on past regrets.

Dune: Awakening and Xbox Release Challenges

While acknowledging past mistakes, Xbox continues to pursue 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 optimizing the game for Xbox Series S at Gamescom 2024.

Junior explained the PC-first release strategy, citing the need for extensive optimization before the Xbox launch. He reassured gamers that the game will perform well even on older hardware. "We'll be able to do it!" he stated to VG247.

Entoria: The Last Song Faces Xbox Release Delays

Indie developer Jyamma Games' Entoria: The Last Song encountered significant delays on Xbox, just weeks before its scheduled September 19th release. The studio cited a lack of communication and response from Microsoft, despite the game being nearly ready for both Series S and X.

Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed frustration on the game's Discord server, highlighting the prolonged silence from Xbox. He further clarified to Insider Gaming that the delay stems from an inability to access the Xbox store page to submit the game. While a PS5 and PC release is confirmed, the Xbox version's future remains uncertain. The studio tweeted their desire for a swift Xbox release, acknowledging the difficulty given the communication breakdown.