The feelings about Microsoft’s 2024 lead generate mixed feelings. It must be admitted that Xbox Games Showcase 2024 was a blast, possibly the best video game event in a long time, and the roadmap for the coming months/years is glorious.
But some players still don’t forgive the latest closures, which wiped out highly talented teams like Tango Gameworks (Hi-Fi Rush) and Arkane Austin (Redfall).
At the time, Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studiosjustified these decisions with the need to invest in IP and AAA franchiseswith clear examples such as Call of Duty and Fallout.
Shortly after, Sarah Bond, current president of Xbox, did not want to comment on anything specific about it.leaving Phil Spencer (the third and most important leg of the table) as ”responsible” for explaining the closures of these studies.
At Xbox Games Showcase 2024, Phil Spencer did not mention the topic (it is logical and understandable), but he did dedicate a few words in a subsequent interview with IGN. Furthermore, he also dropped that the portable Xbox exists…
What does the director of Microsoft Gaming think about studio closures? Many players have wanted to hear his words for a long time, and here we have them.
Video games are also a business
Phil Spencer was asked by Ryan McCaffrey, in the IGN Live panel after the showcase, about the recent closures of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, which they still hear in the gaming community.
His intervention began with a message of support for the developers of both studies. Let us remember that the members of Arkane Austin have been relocated, but this has not been the case with Tango.
”The closure of any team is obviously difficult for its members… As you said, I haven’t been speaking publicly about this, because now is a time for us to focus on the team and the individuals. Obviously it’s a very difficult decision for them, and I want to make sure we’re doing the right thing for the members of these teams.”.
Why was the decision made to close Tango and Arkane Austin? Phil Spencer doesn’t give a clear answer either, although, once again, it is suggested where the shots are going.
”In the end, I’ve said time and time again that I have to run a sustainable business within the company and grow, and that means that sometimes I have to make difficult decisions that, frankly, are not decisions that I like, but decisions that someone must take”.
In other words, what Spencer means is that, even though he doesn’t agree with the closures, someone had to make the decision. It sounds like the orders come from aboveperhaps from Satya Nadella and his team structure at Microsoft.
”We will continue to move forward, we will continue to invest in what we are trying to do at Xbox and we will build the best business we can, which ensures that we can continue to make programs like the ones we just made”.
The director of Microsoft Gaming closed this issue with an optimistic vision, pointing out that business sustainability It will allow us to see more events like the Xbox Games Showcase 2024.
What do you think Xbox Games Showcase 2024? Honestly, it had been many years since we had enjoyed a video game showcase like this. Most users place it above State of Play (May 30) and Opening Live Night Summer Game Fest 2024.
