Phil Spencer Interview: Returning to gamescom, Our Commitment to New Games, and the Special Feeling of Showing STALKER 2

We both had the opportunity to visit Cologne as Gamescom started. Phil is glad to be back – and he doesn’t You can also read more about the benefits of using At gamescom, we mean to be. 

“We’re back – in terms of the production, the game development and the cadence of the games that are coming out,” he tells me. “And it feels great to be at [events like gamescom], getting to show what the teams are working on.” 

It is not a It is a lot easier to get a hold of to see – especially as this is his first in-person gamescom appearance since 2017. He’s fresh from introducing never-before-seen Starfield gameplay alongside director Todd Howard, and visiting Xbox’s 50,000 square foot booth. If there’s a single word to describe the vibe in the room, ‘exhilarated’ captures it: 

“This is the biggest consumer game show that’s out there, [and it’s]It’s been great to see the growth of gamescom. We looked at this opportunity as a team: StarfieldIt is about to come out. Forza The following are some of the ways to get in touch with each other’s following it, we have a lot of partners that wanted to have a presence, and we said, ‘Let’s go out, [have] 50,000 square feet for our booth.’ Make a statement: that Europe’s important; gaming is obviously important; and that we’re investing and we have a lot to show. I’m glad I got to come this year. And the response so far has been fantastic.” 

This also feels like an inflection point – after reaffirming a commitment to releasing a first-party game every quarter just two months ago, we are making that promise a reality: 

“As we look forward in 2023 and to 2024, we have a lot of confidence – and we have a lot of games coming. But not only StarfieldThe following are some examples of how to get started: Forza MotorsportThe two that are obvious this autumn, I must say, I absolutely love the fall drop. Age of Empires III on console that we did at Opening Night Live – that’s a game I’m gonna play a ton of. You know? The History of AraIt is in a booth. TowerborneThere’s a lot of fun in the booth. We’ve got games like Hellblade IIThe following are some examples of how to get started: Avowed coming.” 

It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. Age of Empires III moment is Xbox’s third surprise launch of the year, after Hi-Fi Rush Enhancement of the existing Quake IIBoth were announced at different events. I ask if that’s a case of wanting to save surprises for shows outside of our Summer Xbox Games Showcase – but the answer is more simple: 

“So we actually You can also useWe’re introducing multiple tracks, as not all games can be showcased with a Starfield Direct of 45 minutes. But we need to have time to actually give the creators the time to tell their story, and what they’re shooting for. For multiple moments around the year – from Directs to the Showcase to here at Gamescom – it’s going to be important that we make use of those.” 

Phil would like to mention a particular favorite from the Xbox booth at this year’s E3 conference. This was made during the Ukrainian conflict. STALKER 2. is playable at gamescom – a triumph in itself:  

“We’re at a big gaming show, I like to talk about video games, and then you go talk to that team in terms of what they’ve been through, and it makes the discussion about video games seem almost irrelevant,” says Spencer. “In terms of the life experience, what they’ve had to live through in Ukraine. So to spend a little bit of time with the team – hear where they’re at – are people safe? Not everyone is or was. And yet they’re here showing their game with pride.  

“That kind of transcends what video games are about – it’s awesome that we’re here as part of it. I want STALKER 2.It has to be great but, more importantly, it must be safe. The game they built has been a great rallying point, and I’m sure it will be for many other reasons. […] With a lot of horrible stuff going on around them, they’ve had this thing – it could have been a video game, it could have been anything – but they’ve had this video game to kind of give them a center. We’ve tried to be a helpful part of their process, but it’s all been about them, and that conviction that they have. Being able to have a STALKER 2. section in the booth, having it playable, having some of the team here – that’s pretty special.” 

This is evident in the lines for STALKER 2, which were played yesterday. But the pleasure of having such a stacked line-up is that there’s something for everyone to try. Elsewhere on the booth, I’d point out the likes of the first ever playable build of action-RPG Towerborne – read our full preview on Xbox Wire – and the detailed overview to Ara: The History UntoldThe Civilization developers have come up with a brand new approach to grand strategy. And make sure to keep an eye on Don’t Nod’s JusantThe complex and beautiful climbing mechanics of blew my mind. 

Gamescom continues today – but if you’ve not been at the show, you don’t have to miss out. See everything that we’ve got during our 3-day streaming event.