Phil Spencer was interviewed by Polygon and on this occasion the head of the Xbox division touched on numerous topics, including the crisis in the video game market and the concept of exclusivity according to Microsoft.
The market is in crisis and this is no mystery, according to Spencer one of the reasons is precisely to be found in the concept of exclusivity: the big exclusive blockbusters cost too much and don't sell as they should, in most cases, which is why we are looking with ever greater interest at other platforms.
Xbox has already brought some games from its catalog to PS5 and Nintendo Switch this year, such as Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush and Grounded. In this way, even old games can enjoy a surge in sales and moreover, according to Spencer, it is a way to grow the industry and shake off the concept of exclusivity as we know it.
Phil then reiterates how every decision was made by him and his team it is taken solely to grow the Xbox brand, although public perception about it may be different. Microsoft's idea is always to bring Xbox wherever there is a screen, to meet the needs of GenZa generation used to playing on smartphones, computers, smart TVs, tablets and consoles, and in general wherever there is the opportunity, switching fluidly from one device to another.
Spencer then talked about the layoffs: at the end of March Activision Blizzard will lay off 900 people in addition to the 1,900 employees laid off by Microsoft Gaming in January. Unfortunately, cuts are often a necessary evil in a period of great crisis and if a company's revenues do not grow, the company will have to cut costs to recoup the investments made and make ends meet.
Phil then talks about friends and colleagues who have moved elsewhere or who have lost their jobs overnight, a serious problem in this industry which makes it increasingly difficult to build a stable career and consequently have a more regular life.
Spencer's hope is that this business can return to being as thriving as it once was, but it is a process that will require time, resources and sacrifices. The objective is to look to the future with new prospects for growth and change, to resist the challenges of a market in turmoil.
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