We've already highlighted Xbox boss Phil Spencer's comments about The Elder Scrolls 6 from a GQ interview which went live earlier today, and as part of that same discussion, Spencer talked a little bit about his potential successors.
According to Spencer, Microsoft is actually already pushing him to think about what the future of Xbox will look like after he leaves the brand and the company, and Spencer is in full agreement that this is a good thing to do:
“Clearly, as somebody who has been here for 33 years, I have more years behind me than ahead of me." But the longevity of this team, the sustainability of this team, there’s nothing that’s more important to me right now than that.”
“You should [think about succession] when you think about the long-term health of the team. To make sure the team is in a good place. That the culture of the company is in a good place. And that we’re making the right decisions on who to bet on. That has got to outlive me.”
Despite this, Spencer explained back in June (in an interview with IGN Unlocked) that he had no plans to retire anytime soon, stating "I definitely have a lot more to do here, and I have a job that I'm just incredibly inspired by every day."
It sounds like Microsoft and Spencer are simply trying to be proactive to ensure the future of Xbox is in good hands when he inevitably has to leave the post, but whoever steps into the role will undoubtedly have massive shoes to fill.
What are your thoughts on Spencer's comments about succession? Let us know down below.
[source gq-magazine.co.uk]
Comments 30
I love Phil. I don't want the man to leave, I'm scared of who's next!
Absolutely agree with you, @AFCC. Long may Big Phil's reign last...
Imagine another Don Mattrick comes in after Phil, it would screw up everything that's going right
Pretty sure Sarah Bonds will be his successor.
The 'rock star' CEO is a dying breed. Phil will definitely be missed when the inevitable gender neutral robot steps in to take his place.
I don't want to think of a Microsoft without Phil.
@Krzzystuff that is my guess as it seems she is getting more and more interviews and spotlight moments that Phil use to handle.
Seems like a dumb idea. Everyone loves him.
@Krzzystuff That would definitely make the most amount of sense. It is imperative that Spencer chooses someone who's on the same wavelength as him in terms of where the brand should be heading. We don't want another Mattrick incident after all. In that regard, Sarah Bond seems like the most likely candidate.
Sarah Bond seems very passionate and really hits her interviews out of the park.
@Halucigens and plays games. First and foremost....you need to play games to get the role. Otherwise it's just a company chasing trends for returns vs a company making great games for gamers...that make returns. Oddly enough it's a massive difference between the two
@jorel262 you do know that people retire right? I don't want to see Phil go either but it's gotta change and I appreciate when the succession planning starts early so that the right person gets into the role with the right experience for a seamless transition.
This is absolutely a good idea. Phil won't be there forever, and he'll need to have a think about how his vision will be carried forward.
@Terrin i like her, i think she'd be a solid choice
@Chaudy
Yea. Another one of those and I'll have to just drop Xbox all together.
@Royalblues
The only "challenging" thing is the person coming in not checking their hubris
at the door. I've worked with countless handovers and succession. Birthing moving into as well as hiring those into.
The biggest red flag is when you see people immediately wanting to throw their own ideas at you before even learning the environment first. I've rejected several people for this alone.
Fun fact: if you've ever heard the question "Based on what we've described, what would you change?" in an interview, it is, 9 times out of 10, a trick question.
We use it as a tool to determine if someone is destructive or synergistic.
@DrJamesOxford Cue the political dog whistles ...
Clearly I like how Phil Spencer is handling Xbox unlike how Jim Ryan is handling PlayStation
@Krzzystuff Exactly. I really liked when she talked about the gunk and how her daughter responded to that game. Corporate execs can be fine if they act human.
@Chaudy This is my fear exactly. Please let whoever takes over be as passionate as Phil and not a Sony Jim Ryan or Dom Mattrick.
I'd like to think Phil Spencer still has another 10 years in the tank before he retires.
If Sarah Bond is still at Xbox/MS when that happens, she would be perfect to take over.
She's a gamer herself, very passionate about gaming and inclusion, and has led the Game Pass side of things and recently struck the partnership deal with SEGA, so she's already building relationships with these big external companies.
Well, he's 53 now so.. I don't know, as much as I like him, running a gaming company say for another 10 years bringing him to almost being a senior citizen doesn't seem viable to me. Dude might also want to retire to.
I could see him being replaced maybe in parallel with the Xbox X Pro (or whatever they're calling it). This would allow the new person to run the release of a quasi new console, with Phil there holding their hand. So my bet is on 3ish more years.
My body is not Reggie.
As long as the successor to Phil is an avid gamer too and has enough time as an understudy so that the transition over to them is seamless and sharing the same philosophy, determination, passion etc.
What we don't want another 'Don Mattrick' LOL
Next gen: We've got a product for that, it's called XBOX SERIES X
Seriously tho, Donald was a screw-up
I feel like this what Sarah is being groomed for. They seem to be putting her more and more in the lead role. Which is fine, she seems like a good fit.
I always say the moment Phil's out, Xbox becomes Matrick's Xbox again and the party's over. Hopefully they're just prepping so there's no 1 year power vacuum like happened with Iwata, and not actively pushing him to move on.
@Krzzystuff I do. It feels like he just got there though and I'd hate to see the wrong person. We'll see.
Most decent companies will try to have a sucession plan in place. Phils going nowhere
Give this man the rest of this decade at least! Doesn't hurt to plan
I want to be selfish and hope Phil stays there until his retirement, but right now, I feel it looks to me he is already positioning Sara Bond as the next in line.
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