We've been covering GamesIndustry.biz's superb series of features with Xbox Game Studios all week, and as part of an interview about Xbox Game Pass, head of Xbox Phil Spencer has talked a bit about what to expect from Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase on July 23rd, as well as the first-party games coming out later this year.
Spencer began the interview by revealing he'd spent all day recently reviewing the upcoming Showcase, and noted that he's particularly struck by the creative diversity in the portfolio:
"I am a fan of Xbox, obviously, but I don't mind going to 'are we the shooter box?' is it 'Gears, Halo, Forza, Gears, Halo, Forza'? I know all the memes about us. And I look at what the teams have built already this year, the things that we're going to show, and the things that are coming out later this year, and it is high quality, very different, and takes some creative risks."
The rest of the interview concentrates solely on Xbox Game Pass, featuring comments from Spencer, head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty and representatives from various developers including Double Fine head Tim Schafer and Mojang head Helen Chiang. It's another great read, so definitely check it out!
What do you make of Spencer's comments on Microsoft's upcoming first-party games? Let us know below.
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 30
I love when games take creative risks, especially because using logic like that has ended up creating some of my favorite games that I never knew I would like.
Neither Sony nor Nintendo have shown much this year so I expect this event to be the highlight of this "E3".
Sounds promising, but ultimately the games will speak for themselves. Roll on the 23rd.
Creative risks? That’s promis...
Nuts and Bolts peaks around the corner
The fact he's aware Microsoft has been all halo/forza/gears shows he's trying to address it next gen.
I'm looking forward to what Ninja Theory come up with after Hellblade 2. That's the only time they've made a sequel, so I wonder if it was them or Microsoft that wanted it.
@zane547 Nintendo are being silent for a reason, it might be odd but there's no way they aren't going to announce some new games coming at the end of the year
@zane547 I don't know what you mean... Are we all supposed to be impressed by Sony's launch games for PS5?
And why do you complain about a little bit of optimism towards Xbox for the first time in seven years?
@zane547 Why would that be a console war? Yes, Xbox One X is an awesome console and Microsoft have been acquiring more studios in the last years to make more games but we haven't seen much until recently (Hellblade II, Everwild, Halo Infinite...) and some more is to come later this month. I'd say that this is the best time to be excited and optimistic, especially on an Xbox website!
This is one area I don't think Microsoft gets enough credit for. I know most people consider Microsoft Studios to produce the trinity of games they always do but they have really done well touching almost every genre the past couples years. Shooter, strategies, platforming; they've got a game for each one. They might not be as massive titles as Nintendo's or Sony's but I think it would be a shame if Microsoft moved away from doing a little something for everyone to doing a lot for one group of players.
@zane547 You are assuming that people that weren't impressed by Sony's PS5 show are Xbox fanboys and you started talking about fanboyism and console wars right off the bat. I didn't assume that you are a Sony fanboy for praising Sony and saying that Series X is over-hyped but I find it weird that you criticise optimism towards Microsoft's next-generation console on an Xbox website.
@zane547 I am not troubled at all but I was trying to understand your remarks. My words were "Neither Sony nor Nintendo have shown much this year" and I was referring to Nintendo revealing just Paper Mario as far as I know after releasing just Animal Crossing and ports during the first half of the year and Sony releasing just Spider-Man and Astro's Playroom for PS5's launch, as of today.
Of course, I expect Nintendo to have something else for 2020, otherwise it would be Switch's worst year by far while drowning in the next-generation wave. I could be wrong but I am not so sure that Sony has another first-party game ready for 2020 because the other popular games (like Horizon) have been confirmed as being in development now.
Great to hear! Really don't think the gap will be as dramatic as it was this current generation and things should definitely even out which is better for everyone. Looking forward to seeing what they got in a couple weeks!
@zane547 Yes, there are and you can find one at #15.
I appreciate your kind words and yes, we're cool 😁.
I bought an LG C9 last year and I love it.
Doesn't Konami own Silent Hill? A new Silent Hill or remake will get my attention. I have a PS4 but a bigger collection of three generations (digital) games that I love on Xbox One X and an Elite controller so I'm already sold on Series X but I can't wait to see what Xbox Game Studios are cooking for the next generation. If next generation there is no Fable, Banjo-Kazooie and Viva Piñata I'll be partly disappointed. Perfect Dark would be great, too.
@BlueOcean Sony's big thing will likely be 3rd party timed exclusives. Like CoD 2020 will likely be a Sony reveal with usual 1 month exclusivity on content.
@zane547 Yep, I need to see it too.
@Grumblevolcano Or an exclusive Fortnite skin now that they own 1% of Epic? ☺️
@RedShirtRod
I completely agree. I love the diversity of games on Xbox. I hope they keep going with that plan.
@Grot
👍🏻 I also like to actually play games on my Xbox more than sitting in comment sections of websites arguing with trolls.
Gee, what a concept right? 😂
Hence why the ‘Ignore’ feature is handy with some people around here. 😉
Obviously, Sony has to have another showcase, so they will show more then.
The main reason why Microsoft is seen as "Halo Gears Forza" is their own doing. They've abandoned tons of franchises and others like Cuphead and Ori, don't get NEARLY the push they deserve, even a game like State of Decay. That game could be AMAZING if Microsoft would give Undead Labs a real budget. it's a great idea that hasn't had enough financial backing put behind it. Even ReCore was a good IDEA. this generation is going to be more about how dedicated Microsoft is to Xbox than anything else.
@KelticDevil @Grot I think that a certain person has shown his true colours many times in the short time he has been here. The problem is not his opinions but his attitude.
@Grot I'm not trolling him. If you think I'm trolling, you don't know what a troll is.
He just turns purple and has steam coming out his ears if you say Microsoft have relied on three ips and interprets it as you claiming Xbox has no games.
Having said that a comment I made it reply to him got deleted so I guess he went crying to Frazer rather than take what I said like a man, despite the fact I didn't even swear.
@zane547 I think it's more likely than not Sony are bringing Silent Hill back. Personally, I'd hope they've bought the ip, because Konami sure as hell aren't doing anything with it.
@BlueOcean
I agree.
@zane547 No, I mean the one that insults, trolls and baits on every thread.
@zane547
No worries, man. My issue is not with you at all. We’re good. 👍🏻
I also like having debates here. No harm in that. And you’ve always been respectful when you disagree with someone here. It’s another person, in particular, that I have chosen to ‘Ignore’ because he likes to start up crap here (apparently he has nothing better to do) and I don’t have the time or want to argue with him in every article. I have games to play! 👍🏻
Hope that clears it up. But we are good.
I see BlueOcean and KelticDevil are still as obsessed with me as ever. Wonder how that is? Maybe it's the lack of Xbox exclusives they have to play or something 🤷♀️
Also if an accusation is made that I like to 'start up crap here', then perhaps you could back that up with cold, hard facts. And report me to the admins. Otherwise, man the hell up, and accept I will criticise and praise Microsoft in equal measure. Just because two members of this site like to get overexcited at the mere mention of Phil Spencer doesn't mean I'm going to join in.
Also, having a preference for Sony isn't 'starting up crap'. But yet one of those two hilariously said the last of us 2 had 'terrible gameplay' yet in the same thread admitted they haven't played it (so their opinion is worthless), and also praised Microsoft for not revealing the price of series x, yet claimed Sony was 'waiting, like a wolf at the door', to reveal theirs. Oh, and claimed the only reason Sony dominated with PSOne and PS2 was because they 'got lucky'. And also because piracy. And turned a tomb raider poll into an Uncharted bashing thread. And they aren't a fanboy?
@zane547
You got it. 👍🏻
@Grot I am well aware of what I write. I may have posted a comment sarcastically but I don't do that often.
You also need to understand what a troll is. I don't know why you seem to keep defending the guy, I'm sure he's capable of looking after himself without you sheltering him.
Edit: I'm not going to keep going back and forth with you so I won't reply if you post so don't bother. I will just say the fact you were aware I was originally talking about KelticDevil speaks volumes.
Well that sounds promising and that's what they really need for a successful launch. I guess we'll find out shortly.
@SuperNintendoMii aka as I'm looking for attention,
Firstly, you now that I didn't say what you are saying. I just said that one of the many factors why some consoles were more successful than others in the past was piracy and that PS4 was lucky to have a messy Xbox One launch and a struggling Wii U as the only competition. I have all Naughty Dogs games on PS4, otherwise I wouldn't say my opinion so stop lying. You turned that thread and this one into a fanboy mess, as always, the other thread just because I compared Uncharted and Tomb Raider in the comments section of a Tomb Raider article and this tread because of what @Grot has explained.
Secondly, You are the one obsessed with @KelticDevil and me because never ever have I or he started any war against you but it's always you, like everyone can see. Neither he or I have any issues with anyone because of their opinions but just with bad behaviour. We're respectful and open-minded and, basically, don't care if you love Sony or Nintendo.
Thirdly, everyone knows that you are a raging troll and no one cares about your opinions but @zane547 because of your attitude and it's your attitude what defines you as a person, not your opinions. I reported you every time that you insulted me and then stealth-edited your comments to erase the insults. I only edit my comments to correct them or add a paragraph. You have been banned before and that's why you have a new username.
Finally, I hope you find something better to do in your life. In the meantime, I encourage all users to report you because PureXbox has always been a respectful forum and we can freely discuss and criticise Xbox, Nintendo and Sony as long as we respect each other and don't use personal attacks, lies about others, trolling, baiting and insults like you do.
@zane547 I agree with @Grot. While not illegal, you are empowering an internet troll.
Hi everyone,
Again, debates are perfectly fine and I'm more than happy for everyone to discuss Xbox, Nintendo and Sony on here - as long as it doesn't escalate into personal attacks and insults.
The same applies for baiting and trolling, which includes calling people out in search of a combative response.
Please keep our Community Rules in mind. Thank you.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...