Microsoft presented its Xbox Games Showcase this Sunday, featuring various games from Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. Despite recent studio closures at Bethesda, the event delivered a mix of excitement and disappointment.
Microsoft unveiled a total of 30 games and also announced three new Xbox Series X|S consoles set to release this holiday season.
Xbox will continue to grow and will even have a portable console
In a recent interview with IGN, Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, discussed his views on portable gaming devices and the state of the Xbox business. Spencer, a fan of devices like Valve’s Steam Deck, hinted that the Xbox team might be working on their portable console.
Despite a 31% decline in Xbox hardware revenue in the first quarter of 2024, Spencer highlighted that the user base for Xbox consoles is growing, along with increases in Game Pass subscriptions, PC gaming, and cloud gaming.
Spencer also touched on Microsoft’s strategy of making Xbox-exclusive games available on other consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. He used the example of the upcoming game “Doom: The Dark Ages,” which will also be released on PS5. He explained that the Doom franchise has a unique history and should not be limited to a single platform.
Reaffirming Microsoft’s commitment to its motto, “When everyone plays, we all win,” Spencer emphasized the company’s goal of making games accessible on more platforms, offering players the option to purchase games or subscribe through Game Pass.
Through this interview, Spencer aimed to demonstrate that the Xbox brand is still thriving. He hoped to dispel rumors that Xbox might open its brand to other companies, emphasizing that Microsoft cannot afford to lose its foothold in the consumer sector.
