I realize I am harsher on Starfield than most, but after reading all that you’ve said about the challenges facing Phil Spencer & co, I wonder: how much more does Starfield’s relatively flat reception add to his plate?
Starfield is no disaster, to be clear! It’s fine! But Microsoft surely expected more than just fine; this was the big one, the one that validated buying ZeniMax, that proved the theory of buying studios to feed GamePass, the one that’d make the long drought worth it, the one that’d make you forget the misfires like Redfall.
And it’s... fine. People like it. But despite this fractured social media hellscape, it’s clear it hasn’t captured the wider imagination like TotK or even BG3.
Surely somewhere Phil’s bricking it about this. Perhaps Microsoft can upload those emails next?
The thing about all of the MS leaks is Phil’s statement that they are ‘old’ plans, particularly on the all digital console. The plans make clear that an all digital, Gamepass centric world is what MS are aiming for, and that hasn’t changed. To roll back on the all digital consoles at this point would be throwing away millions of D&D and a conceptual review of the direction of the business (which hasn’t happened, and, frankly, won’t). The alternative is to push ahead with obviously unpopular plans, that as you say everyone already knows about, with consumers unhappy at being railroaded into digital and third parties negotiating harder for Gamepass fees, reducing its quantity and increasing expense.
I'm an equal opportunity gamer with all the systems, but the Xbox has always been home base for me. So the content of these leaks are especially disappointing. There's just not much to be excited about here; at least they aren't reviving the Kinect, I suppose. Mattrick's stewardship dealt Xbox a death blow and only Microsoft's deep coffers are keeping the corpse animated.
I like Phil, and still believe in him. But Microsoft's hubris and sheer blindness to the true state of things is mind-boggling. Anyway, really great read.
I doubt this will damage MS much in terms of hype and future releases. If anything, this gives people even more to look forward to and anticipate the inevitable trailers and gameplay demonstrations.
The real damage here is that MS' rivals now have a good sight of their strategic thinking, and this will damage solidarity among the executive and senior management ranks, worsening preexisting tensions and issues.
But will it damage how gamers look at MS games? I seriously doubt that. The vocal minority has long stopped representing an industry that takes in $300 billion a year.
I realize I am harsher on Starfield than most, but after reading all that you’ve said about the challenges facing Phil Spencer & co, I wonder: how much more does Starfield’s relatively flat reception add to his plate?
Starfield is no disaster, to be clear! It’s fine! But Microsoft surely expected more than just fine; this was the big one, the one that validated buying ZeniMax, that proved the theory of buying studios to feed GamePass, the one that’d make the long drought worth it, the one that’d make you forget the misfires like Redfall.
And it’s... fine. People like it. But despite this fractured social media hellscape, it’s clear it hasn’t captured the wider imagination like TotK or even BG3.
Surely somewhere Phil’s bricking it about this. Perhaps Microsoft can upload those emails next?
Imagine thinking BG3 was only worth $5M. Absolutely crazy.
The thing about all of the MS leaks is Phil’s statement that they are ‘old’ plans, particularly on the all digital console. The plans make clear that an all digital, Gamepass centric world is what MS are aiming for, and that hasn’t changed. To roll back on the all digital consoles at this point would be throwing away millions of D&D and a conceptual review of the direction of the business (which hasn’t happened, and, frankly, won’t). The alternative is to push ahead with obviously unpopular plans, that as you say everyone already knows about, with consumers unhappy at being railroaded into digital and third parties negotiating harder for Gamepass fees, reducing its quantity and increasing expense.
It’s a no win scenario.
Yes, I agree - I have serious doubts about these subscription models. Great for us gamers, but not so great for developers.
I'm an equal opportunity gamer with all the systems, but the Xbox has always been home base for me. So the content of these leaks are especially disappointing. There's just not much to be excited about here; at least they aren't reviving the Kinect, I suppose. Mattrick's stewardship dealt Xbox a death blow and only Microsoft's deep coffers are keeping the corpse animated.
I like Phil, and still believe in him. But Microsoft's hubris and sheer blindness to the true state of things is mind-boggling. Anyway, really great read.
Thanks for the interesting read.
I doubt this will damage MS much in terms of hype and future releases. If anything, this gives people even more to look forward to and anticipate the inevitable trailers and gameplay demonstrations.
The real damage here is that MS' rivals now have a good sight of their strategic thinking, and this will damage solidarity among the executive and senior management ranks, worsening preexisting tensions and issues.
But will it damage how gamers look at MS games? I seriously doubt that. The vocal minority has long stopped representing an industry that takes in $300 billion a year.