Xbox boss Phil Spencer conducted an interview with Business Insider about all things Xbox last week, including the effect the coronavirus pandemic is having on the industry. As part of this, Spencer indicated that some aspects of production have "basically stopped" for the time being.
In particular, Spencer highlighted motion capture work and large-scale audio production as areas that are difficult to accommodate right now.
"If you had all your animation captured and you’re doing touch up in more individual art production and in areas like textures and other things, you’re in a better position. If you’re waiting for a lot of either large audio work – when it’s with symphonies and other things – or mocap, you’re held up right now and you’re making progress in areas that you are.”
Additionally, Spencer talked more about the effects COVID-19 will have on Xbox and the industry as a whole, revealing that he feels "pretty good" about the games coming through summer and early fall this year. However, he also admitted that titles targeting a year from now and beyond will face "some impact", but suggested they'll be able to react.
Do you think COVID-19 will lead to significant Xbox Series X game delays? Share your thoughts in the comments.
[source businessinsider.sg]
Comments 3
Of course its going to have some impact - you cannot lose several months of working time without having an impact on deadlines. Even if some of that time isn't a 'complete' loss with some able to do some work at home, its still likely to have an impact. Its whether or not they can or are willing to put in extra time after this to offset the loss of time and we already here that some studio's are under pressure approaching deadline days.
As someone who worked in the media/print industry, deadlines the last hours before going to press were always the most pressured and even worse if you find something wrong at the last minute.
Hopefully, as a consumer, we still get a steady stream of releases - even if they are a bit slower for a period of time and then we get a lot in a small window.
I think Hellblade 2 could suffer a lot from that. Also any other story heavy single player game as well.
I am ok with games getting delayed as long as everyone is safe. That is what’s most important.
Besides....I think most of us have backlogs that will keep us busy.
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