After several weeks of rumors and uncertainty, Microsoft spoke this evening during a podcast called Xbox Business Update to take stock of the situation and announce plans for the future of the gaming branch, namely: Xbox. Here’s an update on the situation now and a full summary of statements from Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond and Matt Bowtie.
There is no smoke without fire
Before getting to the heart of the matter, a quick reminder of the facts. Because yes, things have clearly been taken to a disproportionate extent in recent days. Basically, the first rumors date back to the end of January and the beginning of February when some generally well-informed American journalists started talking about Microsoft’s new plans that would consider becoming a publisher by offering exclusive games on other supports such as the PS5. switch. At the time, only three games were affected, namely Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment.
But in the hours after these first statements, more and more journalists and insiders began to confirm the information and extend the list of games, talking about Starfield, then the entire Xbox catalog. To put it simply, Microsoft will look to end the exclusivity system by releasing all its games on all platforms.
Of course, these statements ignited the powder and very quickly social networks were ablaze with responses, for the most part, as absurd as they were baseless. Between the Xbox fans who were unhappy with the situation and started threatening the company to resell all their games and consoles, those who rejoiced in the “death of Xbox” and the skeptics who didn’t really believe in the rumors, I might tell you that The situation was very popular on the network last week.
Faced with a lot of excitement after the silence of the American firm, Phil Spencer, the boss of the Xbox firm announced on his Twitter account that a speech will be made by Xbox soon.
We listen and we hear you. We’re hosting a Business Update event next week, where we look forward to sharing more details with you about our vision for the future of Xbox. Stay connected.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) February 5, 2024
We hear you and we hear you. We have a retail update event planned next week, where we look forward to sharing more details with you about our vision for the future of Xbox. Stay connected.
A few days later, Xbox keeps its word and announces the date of its speech with the Xbox Business Update podcast, which is scheduled for this evening, February 15, 2024 at 9 pm French time.
Please join us for a special edition of the Official Xbox Podcast.
Hear from Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond and Matt Booty as they share updates on the Xbox business. pic.twitter.com/TxwWJVUbgx
— Xbox (@Xbox) February 12, 2024
Join us for a special edition of the Official Xbox Podcast. Hear as Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond and Matt Booty share updates on the Xbox business.
Update, 02/15, 9 pm: Summary of podcast for February 15, 2024:
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Four Xbox games on PS5 and Switch
So the rumors were true, Microsoft is gearing up to change strategy by offering exclusive games on other consoles, namely PS5 and Nintendo Switch. For the moment, Phil Spencer does not want to reveal the names of these games. On the other hand, the boss of the Redmond firm clarifies that in the lot, Two are community games and two are other smaller titles. It also makes it clear that the strategy is to carry these four games and not others for the time being. The goal is to expand games beyond the company’s Xbox console alone.
Related games, according to specific sources of Media The Verge There could be a sea of thieves and grounded (for community sports), As well as Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush (for more modest games).
Phil Spencer says that, in his view of the industry, exclusives are doomed to see their numbers decline over the next five to ten years: “I have a fundamental belief that in the next five or ten years, niche games, niche games for a piece of hardware, will be a smaller and smaller part of the video game industry”.
Regarding the rumors around Starfield Or the latter Indiana Jones Expected by the end of the year on PC and Xbox Series X/S. Phil Spencer confirms he’s not impressed with the list of four games that will be coming to PS5 and Switch. However, Xbox’s boss This does not exclude the possibility in the coming months and years. To put it simply, for the moment, Microsoft is focusing on porting the first four games and will see what happens next. But the ambition to port more and more games over the months is certain, especially if the release of these first four games is successful.
Why end with exclusives?
After these statements, this is a big question: Why change strategy? On this point, Phil Spencer is quite clear. For him, it is a necessity that allows him to develop and above all “To ensure the long-term success of Xbox and the industry as a whole”. Phil Spencer takes the opportunity to remind fans who are a little more invested in the series, telling them that they may have biased opinions about the ever-evolving industry.
Today, according to Xbox bosses, exclusivity is not enough to sell millions of consoles: “I know there’s a fantasy world where people think that a particular game will somehow drive sales for a platform, but the industry doesn’t work that way today.”.
New Xboxes are in the works
To reassure fans about the future of Xbox and to show that the company will not stop being a manufacturer, and will only become a publisher (as before SEGA), Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, the president of Xbox, confirm that there are new consoles. Preparation: “We’ve got some exciting new hardware releases to share this holiday, and we’re also investing in the next-gen roadmap. What we’re really focused on is making the biggest technological advances you’ve ever seen in a generation of hardware.”. New consoles, new accessories and new controllers So for the coming months and more will definitely be expected for the end of the year.
Regarding the rumors of a portable Xbox or portable PC bearing the Xbox logo, Phil Spencer confirms that he has read the idea and articles on various sites or networks. On the other hand, the boss of the Microsoft gaming firm declared that for the moment, there is no announcement about such a product.
Game Pass, Massive Weapon is still being developed
In two years, Xbox Game Pass subscribers have seen a 25% increase, Now there are 33 million subscribers. As a reminder, Microsoft aims to reach 100 million Game Pass subscribers by 2030. For the fiscal year 2022, Microsoft aimed for 73% growth which was not achieved with an incremental score of only 28%.
In tonight’s podcast, Phil Spencer confirms that Microsoft’s goal is not to convert all of their players into Game Pass subscribers. However, Microsoft is always looking to improve and develop the service to attract more and more players, especially on mobile.
Additionally, Microsoft confirms that the first Activision/Blizzard games will soon come with Game Pass. Diablo IV which will enter service on March 28, 2024. For other games, especially Call of Duty, you’ll have to wait a few more months.
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