Today saw the arrival of Xbox’s big “business update,” which Microsoft revealed via a special episode of the Official Xbox Podcast featuring Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond and Matt Booty. The podcast came as something of a reaction to a sudden explosion of rumours of a new multiplatform strategy for Microsoft’s gaming business and has finally provided something in the way of answers.
As part of a companion piece for the announcements, Game File journalist Stephen Totilo also spoke to Spencer ahead of the podcast, adding some extra context around some of the conversation. One point brought up is in regards to platform exclusivity, the four mystery Xbox games going multiplatform, and whether Microsoft expects Sony or Nintendo to reciprocate bringing some of their titles across – which it doesn’t
“This is not for me, like, some kind of bartering system,” Spencer told the outlet. “We’re doing it for the better of Xbox’s business.”
Spencer also congratulated developer Arrowhead Game Studios on its launch of Helldivers 2, as well as publisher PlayStation, while questioning whether keeping the game locked to PS5 and PC was in service of anyone in the industry.
“I will say, when I look at a game like Helldivers 2—and it’s a great game, kudos to the team shipping on PC and PlayStation—I’m not exactly sure who it helps in the industry by not being on Xbox. If you try to twist yourself to say, like, somehow that benefited somebody somewhere.”
“But I get it. There’s a legacy in console gaming that we’re going to benefit by shipping games and not putting them on other places,” Spencer added, conceding that exclusives are the norm for all involved. “We do the same thing.”
“I will say shipping more games in more places and making them more accessible to more people is a good part of the gaming business.”
You can read the full piece here and watch the Official Xbox Podcast below:
