Xbox |OT|

[Hiku]

Machiavellian said:

Hiku said:

I imagine you at least see the 180 from the quote about nurturing the devs that want to be more creative instead of pushing out the expected established franchises? Because now they're closing studios to focus more on the opposite.

Part of the plan with Gamepass was, according to them, to diversify it with smaller titles. Because they're cheaper to make, and can be added much more frequently to the service than AAA titles with 7 year dev cycles.

To be truthful, I always thought that Phil talked to much. Its really not common for a C level exec in his position to make so many interviews.  I think of other execs doing the same Musk and how that goes.  As a CEO, you never can put anything in stone unless you back yourself into a corner and then have to make a bunch of excuses.  This is where we are today.  At no time do I ever believe any person on Phil level is a nice guy or someone who isn't going to make the hard choices or even the unpopular ones.

As to your question on if Phil quote is a 180, probably so but then again it doesn't mean he hasn't tried to go that route but it's evident its not working.  Are games like Grounded, Hi Fi Rush, Pentiment, Redfall hell even starfield growing GP or gaining any traction to making GP the service of choice.  None of those games are driving sells to MS hardware or GP and while Phil may wish to be more like his PR statements in the end he definitely has to be realistic in the state of Xbox and its position in the industry.  What is going to drive GP, Xbox to those lofty 100 million subs.  It ain't Hi Fi Rush that is for sure or Hi Fi Rush 2.

The way I see it  MS need hits like Spiderman, GOD of War, Final Fantasy.  Games like this or on this level to drive GP and hardware sells for Xbox.  MS continue to miss out on such big hits and it shows in the number those smaller games are just not doing it and at MS current state, something needs to change now, not later.

There's definitely an argument for Phil Spencer talking too much.

And I think the main purpose of the smaller non-AAA titles was more about sustaining interest in GP in between the major releases. While the latter being the ones primarily meant to grow the service.

If some of these comments were made a few years ago, I wouldn't think much of it other than that they tried, and it didn't work out. Change of plans.
But it's difficult to imagine those comments being made so wholeheartedly if they considered the possibility of a shutdown within this timeframe.

And in fact, look at this.

 

Just two months ago Sarah Bond congratulated them on their 14th birthday, and added "here's to many more".

That's not an opposie. That's just inconceivable. She could not have known even 2 months ago that this would happen. There's no way you would say that.

I had to check if it was real, and it is.
https://x.com/BondSarah_Bond/status/1763685686295826790

Last edited by Hiku - on 10 May 2024