Phil Spencer acknowledges ‘it’s been too long’ since Xbox’s last big first-party game

[John Elden Ring]

“One thing we’ve definitely heard loud and clear is it’s been too long since we’ve shipped what people would say is a big first-party game,” Phil Spencer said on the Same Brain videocast.

“And as an industry we have fewer games this holiday than we’ve had in a while, when you just think about the launches. Call of Duty is coming, God of War is coming – which is great – Nintendo’s had a good year. But in general I would say we’ve been a little light"

“We can have our excuses with Covid and other things, but in the end I know people invest in our platform and they want to have great games.”

Phil Spencer acknowledges ‘it’s been too long’ since Xbox’s last big first-party game | VGC

But the exec claims 2023 will be stronger for its first-party output…

www.videogameschronicle.com

 

[CloudStrife]

Man......2023 better deliver.

 

[arvfab]

Man......2023 better deliver.

Wait for E3!

 

[ksdixon]

I thought XB didn't believe in exclusives?

 

[Gediminas]

Wait for E3!

more like wait for Holiday season, only time of the year which matter

 

[Dr Bass]

Hey there is that phrase again. “We’ve heard you loud and clear.”

I don’t understand what he means by that at this point. Shut up? We didn’t realize this would be a problem? It’s so bizarre. Games are what matters more than anything else. Why buy all these studios if you’re not going to have a regular flow of games? Why act like the customer has to beat down your door for new product?

How this guy is not only still employed but being promoted beats me.

 

[Papacheeks]

If 2023 doesn't knock peoples socks off, heads are fucking rolling mark my words.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Hey there is that phrase again. “We’ve heard you loud and clear.”

I don’t understand what he means by that at this point. Shut up? We didn’t realize this would be a problem? It’s so bizarre. Games are what matters more than anything else. Why buy all these studios if you’re not going to have a regular flow of games? Why act like the customer has to beat down your door for new product?

How this guy is not only still employed but being promoted beats me.

He got promoted because he sold Satya on a story of xCloud making Xbox bigger than any console platform holder could dream of.

And then in 2020 they beat their Gamepass estimates by 70%+.

But both he and Satya missed bonus payments for 2021/2022 because Gamepass growth came way under expectations.

So yeah.. I think Phil is in a lot of tense meetings these days considering his CEO made less money because of Xbox's perf lol

Stadia dying + Xbox internally deciding it wasn't time for a streaming stick... I think big tech is realizing game streaming is not going to be mainstream any time soon.. my guess is in 5 years, if the picture for cloud gaming doesn't change dramatically.. MS will not be keeping Xbox around.

 

[ethomaz]

He got promoted because he sold Satya on a story of xCloud making Xbox bigger than any console platform holder could dream of.

And then in 2020 they beat their Gamepass estimates by 70%+.

But both he and Satya missed bonus payments for 2021/2022 because Gamepass growth came way under expectations.

So yeah.. I think Phil is in a lot of tense meetings these days considering his CEO made less money because of Xbox's perf lol

Stadia dying + Xbox internally deciding it wasn't time for a streaming stick... I think big tech is realizing game streaming is not going to be mainstream any time soon.. my guess is in 5 years, if the picture for cloud gaming doesn't change dramatically.. MS will not be keeping Xbox around.

Covid lockdowns in 2020 did give companies a false sense of grow... I mean the grow in 2020 was all real but they make companies things the grow will continue in next years but people started to go outside again and have less time for gaming... in some cases the yearly grow still exists but it is way lower than what happened in 2020... and most financials are having a drop in revenue.

 

[Gediminas]

If 2023 doesn't knock peoples socks off, heads are fucking rolling mark my words.

''dead man walking''?

 

[peter42O]

While back in May, I was disappointed with the Redfall and Starfield delays (more so with Redfall), I was happy at the same time because if they need more time, then give them more time to get everything right. Especially in regards to Bethesda Game Studios, give them all the time they need so the bugs, glitches and clunkiness can be as minimal as possible.

2022 has been the worst year ever for Microsoft first party but if Redfall and Starfield are better for it, then it's completely worth it because I don't want games getting rushed out just for the sake of getting them out. On paper, 2023 should be one hell of a stacked year for Microsoft's first party and if you're someone like me who's looking forward to a bunch of third party day one Game Pass games, it could end up being one of my best years ever.

Last generation, I had the following -

2013 launch (2020)
1. Knack - 6.5/10 (ps4)
2. Ryse: Son of Rome - 7.0/10 (xbo)

2014 (2021)
1. Infamous First Light - 7.0/10 (ps4)

2015 (2022)
1. The Order: 1886 - 7.0/10 (ps4)
2. Until Dawn - 7.0/10 (xbo)

2016 (2023)
1. Alienation - 8.5/10 (ps4)
2. Gears of War 4 - 8.5/10 (xbo)
3. Quantum Break - 8.0/10 (xbo)
4. Ratchet & Clank - 8.5/10 (ps4)
5. Shadow of the Beast - 6.5/10 (ps4)
6. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - 8.5/10 (ps4)

This generation / 2020 launch
1. Gears Tactics - 8.0/10 (xsx)
2. Marvel's Spider Man: Miles Morales - 9.0/10 (ps5)

2021
1. Halo Infinite - 9.5/10 and my goty (xsx)
2. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - 9.0/10 (ps5)

2022
1. God of War Ragnarok - expecting 9+ (ps5)
2. Horizon Forbidden West - 9.0/10 (ps5)

Comparison wise, both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 have blown away what Xbox One and PlayStation 4 were for me in the first 2+ years (2013 launch, 2014 and 2015) of the console's life cycle. 2023 has a much bigger mountain to climb for me personally. Outside of Shadow of the Beast, I had a great year in 2016 so this is what 2023 will be compared to for me. This is why I haven't been pissed off or upset or anything because when I compare this generation to last generation, this generation already wins in the same time frame.

If both Redfall and Starfield (or another first party title in place of Starfield) can be at least an 8.5/10 each for me, they already surpassed 2016 Xbox One for me. If they can get close to what PS4 was for me in 2016, great but before Microsoft can match or surpass that, they need to surpass what they gave me last generation with Xbox One which on paper, they should easily accomplish barring some kind of massive fucking disaster.

 

[Papacheeks]

While back in May, I was disappointed with the Redfall and Starfield delays (more so with Redfall), I was happy at the same time because if they need more time, then give them more time to get everything right. Especially in regards to Bethesda Game Studios, give them all the time they need so the bugs, glitches and clunkiness can be as minimal as possible.

2022 has been the worst year ever for Microsoft first party but if Redfall and Starfield are better for it, then it's completely worth it because I don't want games getting rushed out just for the sake of getting them out. On paper, 2023 should be one hell of a stacked year for Microsoft's first party and if you're someone like me who's looking forward to a bunch of third party day one Game Pass games, it could end up being one of my best years ever.

Last generation, I had the following -

2013 launch (2020)
1. Knack - 6.5/10 (ps4)
2. Ryse: Son of Rome - 7.0/10 (xbo)

2014 (2021)
1. Infamous First Light - 7.0/10 (ps4)

2015 (2022)
1. The Order: 1886 - 7.0/10 (ps4)
2. Until Dawn - 7.0/10 (xbo)

2016 (2023)
1. Alienation - 8.5/10 (ps4)
2. Gears of War 4 - 8.5/10 (xbo)
3. Quantum Break - 8.0/10 (xbo)
4. Ratchet & Clank - 8.5/10 (ps4)
5. Shadow of the Beast - 6.5/10 (ps4)
6. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - 8.5/10 (ps4)

This generation / 2020 launch
1. Gears Tactics - 8.0/10 (xsx)
2. Marvel's Spider Man: Miles Morales - 9.0/10 (ps5)

2021
1. Halo Infinite - 9.5/10 and my goty (xsx)
2. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - 9.0/10 (ps5)

2022
1. God of War Ragnarok - expecting 9+ (ps5)
2. Horizon Forbidden West - 9.0/10 (ps5)

Comparison wise, both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 have blown away what Xbox One and PlayStation 4 were for me in the first 2+ years (2013 launch, 2014 and 2015) of the console's life cycle. 2023 has a much bigger mountain to climb for me personally. Outside of Shadow of the Beast, I had a great year in 2016 so this is what 2023 will be compared to for me. This is why I haven't been pissed off or upset or anything because when I compare this generation to last generation, this generation already wins in the same time frame.

If both Redfall and Starfield (or another first party title in place of Starfield) can be at least an 8.5/10 each for me, they already surpassed 2016 Xbox One for me. If they can get close to what PS4 was for me in 2016, great but before Microsoft can match or surpass that, they need to surpass what they gave me last generation with Xbox One which on paper, they should easily accomplish barring some kind of massive fucking disaster.

You are omitting the biggest game of the PS4 gen which Sony 100% owns....Bloodborne. Regardless if its made internally or externally it was first party. 2015 was really when things started getting real for PS4. You are also omitting Sackboy's big adventuire which was a PS5 launch title that had like a 80 meta critic score, on top of one of the best remakes ever in Demon Souls remake.


Miles Morales, Demons SOuls remake, sackboy adventure, Astrobot all launch titles. Then less than 6 months later they had Returnal, Ratchet. Now I'll concede and say the rest of 2021 was sparse with Kena being their only big title for fall. And they don't own that so its not first party.

But 2022 has been insane with partnered exclusives like Sifu starting the year, Followed by Horizon:FW, GT7 which you left out, MLB THE SHOW, Stray, Last of Us remake part 1, and Now God of war.


I understand not all of those titles mentioned like Sifu, Stray, Kena are first party. But they are exclusive games Sony Signed to help add to their slate. Something in 2022 Microsoft has been non-existent on. And I don;t understand it either.

2021 Microsoft had a great well rounded slate. The signed Outriders to day one on gamepass, on top of MLB the show which was a big splash, then followed it with PSychonaughts 2, Flight sim, Forza, Back 4 blood and Ended the year with Halo.

Really great year and I'm not a big xbox person anymore if at all. 2021 Was Microsoft's year content wise. But literally there is nothing signed for 2022? Like even with things they can't control like Studios that were in Ukraine and Poland, russia were affected. They cant control that. But those even though they add value lack the punch something like Outriders, MLB, BACK4BLOOD add. Like their whole salte hinged on two big games. And now those are in the wind for sometime in 2023.

Sorry but Microsoft is screwing the pooch. And should be signing content left and right to make up for not having anything.

 

[peter42O]

You are omitting the biggest game of the PS4 gen which Sony 100% owns....Bloodborne. Regardless if its made internally or externally it was first party. 2015 was really when things started getting real for PS4. You are also omitting Sackboy's big adventuire which was a PS5 launch title that had like a 80 meta critic score, on top of one of the best remakes ever in Demon Souls remake.


Miles Morales, Demons SOuls remake, sackboy adventure, Astrobot all launch titles. Then less than 6 months later they had Returnal, Ratchet. Now I'll concede and say the rest of 2021 was sparse with Kena being their only big title for fall. And they don't own that so its not first party.

But 2022 has been insane with partnered exclusives like Sifu starting the year, Followed by Horizon:FW, GT7 which you left out, MLB THE SHOW, Stray, Last of Us remake part 1, and Now God of war.


I understand not all of those titles mentioned like Sifu, Stray, Kena are first party. But they are exclusive games Sony Signed to help add to their slate. Something in 2022 Microsoft has been non-existent on. And I don;t understand it either.

2021 Microsoft had a great well rounded slate. The signed Outriders to day one on gamepass, on top of MLB the show which was a big splash, then followed it with PSychonaughts 2, Flight sim, Forza, Back 4 blood and Ended the year with Halo.

Really great year and I'm not a big xbox person anymore if at all. 2021 Was Microsoft's year content wise. But literally there is nothing signed for 2022? Like even with things they can't control like Studios that were in Ukraine and Poland, russia were affected. They cant control that. But those even though they add value lack the punch something like Outriders, MLB, BACK4BLOOD add. Like their whole salte hinged on two big games. And now those are in the wind for sometime in 2023.

Sorry but Microsoft is screwing the pooch. And should be signing content left and right to make up for not having anything.

Apologies. I meant the games that I played and completed and how last generation compares to this generation. I didn't mean in general. Thus far, this generation in general, Sony > Microsoft for 2020 launch, Microsoft > Sony for 2021 and Sony >>>>> Microsoft for 2022.

I played and completed Kena but didn't include it because Ember Lab self published the game. I only included games that Sony/Microsoft published and that I completed. Kena is a great game by the way.

2022 is literally the worst year for Microsoft first party ever but once we get to 2023 and their games start releasing, no one is going to care about 2022 anymore. I know I won't because it's in the past. Same for the second half of 2021. Does anyone talk about 2020 launch or even the empty first half of 2021 anymore? Nope. Because while it sucked at the time, in the long term, it doesn't matter because once you get to the point where the games are releasing, most people including myself will be too busy playing the games instead of looking back at 2022 when it would be the past and no point in complaining about it because it won't change anything.

Microsoft is simply riding out 2022 which makes sense because all the major titles this Fall/Holiday season, Sony has the marketing for so that eliminates Microsoft from doing anything with those games and what else is worth going after at this point? And of course, Atomic Heart, Stalker 2 and even the console version of Darktide were delayed to 2023 so that didn't help.

I would have liked to see Microsoft pay for another game this year but let's be honest, what could they have signed? Sony either has marketing, other games got pushed to 2023 and the rest are Indies. There's nothing left. The biggest game that Microsoft got was A Plague Tale Requiem which is such a great game. Way better than Gotham Knights in my opinion and while COD MW 2 is a juggernaut money wise, it's been an average game since the Xbox 360 days.

As long as 2023 delivers, I will forget about 2022 just like I did the 2020 launch and the first half of 2021 due to the second half of 2021. Now, if they don't deliver in 2023, then I will be the first to go on a massive profanity laced tirade.

 

[Lord Mittens]

No shit Phil.
Do something about it then, you dont have all of these studio's for nothing.

 

[Alabtrosmyster]

Now, I guess this will be the line repeated by all xbox fans? acting like this is a good thing?

Let's see the level of disappointment they have in store for 2023... or maybe they will get delayed to 2024.

 

[LightBolt]

2023 better be amazing for Xbox and exclusives left and right, 2022 has been very dry on that front. You have all these studios and nothing big 1P wise like Phil said..
Starfield needs to wow people now, i think it will be at The Game Awards.

 

[Airbus]

Wasnt scorn just released last month?

 

[TubzGaming]

Wasnt scorn just released last month?

Alien Penis Stimulator yeah it did

 

[IntentionalPun]

Covid lockdowns in 2020 did give companies a false sense of grow... I mean the grow in 2020 was all real but they make companies things the grow will continue in next years but people started to go outside again and have less time for gaming... in some cases the yearly grow still exists but it is way lower than what happened in 2020... and most financials are having a drop in revenue.

Yeah I mean that initial crushing of their estimates was probably COVID related.. but companies weren't really that naive about COVID growth not being sustainable, MS included.

I work in tech consulting and it was a huge mantra not to over-estimate COVID growth, and very few companies didn't warn investors of the fact 2021 would be flat or down, MS included.

I think that regardless they expected cloud gaming to take off like a rocket, and it didn't...

 

[RE4-City]

Hey it works out for Phil, now he has more time to play GOW