Xbox Chief Admits 'Worst Decisions' for Major Franchises

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer reflects on past strategic missteps and the impact on major gaming franchises, acknowledging some "worst decisions" made throughout Xbox's history. This article explores his candid remarks, focusing on missed opportunities and the challenges faced with upcoming Xbox releases.

Missed Opportunities: Destiny and Guitar Hero

At PAX West 2024, Spencer discussed key franchises that eluded Xbox, including Bungie's Destiny and Harmonix's Guitar Hero. He openly admitted these decisions rank among his career's biggest regrets. Despite his early proximity to Bungie during his time at Microsoft, Destiny's initial concept didn't resonate with him, only finding appreciation later with the House of Wolves expansion. Similarly, he initially dismissed Guitar Hero's potential.

While acknowledging these setbacks, Spencer emphasizes his forward-looking approach, prioritizing current projects over dwelling on past mistakes.

Dune: Awakening Faces Xbox Series S Optimization Challenges

Despite past regrets, Xbox continues to pursue major franchises. Dune: Awakening, developed by Funcom, is slated for release on Xbox Series S, PC, and PS5. However, Funcom's chief product officer, Scott Junior, highlighted optimization challenges specific to the Xbox Series S, leading to a PC-first release strategy. Despite these hurdles, Junior assures players of smooth performance even on older hardware.

Enotria: The Last Song Encounters Xbox Release Delays

Indie developer Jyamma Games' Enotria: The Last Song faced unexpected delays on Xbox, weeks before its scheduled September 19th launch. The studio cites a lack of communication and response from Microsoft regarding their submission, despite claiming the game's readiness for both Xbox Series S and X. This situation has led to a temporary postponement of the Xbox release, with the game launching on PlayStation 5 and PC instead. Jyamma Games CEO Jacky Greco expressed significant frustration over the lack of communication from Microsoft.