Xbox boss says Microsoft wants less console exclusives – swears Activision is getting better-Michael Beckwith-Entertainment – Metro

Remember: he’s a businessman first and foremost (pic: Microsoft)

As Microsoft seeks approval for its Activision buyout, Xbox’s Phil Spencer talks up the possibility of there being less console exclusives.

Console exclusives have been a part of the games industry since the very beginning and that’s unlikely to change any time soon. That said, Microsoft has gradually become more willing to release its own titles for rival platforms.

We’ve seen it with the likes of Ori And The Will Of The Wisps and Psychonauts 2, and now Xbox boss Phil Spencer is suggesting that console exclusives are ‘something we’re just going to see less and less of.’

Despite ongoing evidence to the contrary, Spencer claims not to be keen on the idea of friends being unable to play games together because ‘we bought the wrong piece of plastic to plug into our television.’

‘We really love to be able to bring more players in reducing friction, making people feel safe, secure when they’re playing, allowing them to find their friends, play with their friends, regardless of what device – I think in the long run that is good for this industry,’ he said.

‘And maybe in the short run, there’s some people in some companies that don’t love it. But I think as we get over the hump and see where this industry can continue to grow, it proves out to be true.’

There is some irony in hearing Spencer downplay console exclusives when he openly admitted this was the primary reason behind Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda.

Not to mention that, following said acquisition, Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 appear to have lost any chance of releasing on PlayStation platforms.

His comments come as Microsoft seeks approval for its Activision acquisition; despite Microsoft’s big announcement earlier this year, the deal hasn’t been finalised yet and is being scrutinised by multiple regulatory bodies.

There are concerns that the acquisition could be deemed anti-competitive and give Microsoft an unfair advantage, so Spencer is obviously going to avoid saying anything that could hurt Microsoft’s case. In fact, it’s in his interest to give the impression that the company is actively against exclusives.

It’s the same reason why Microsoft described Call Of Duty as ‘nothing unique’ to investigators, despite it being Activision’s most profitable franchise.

For the time being, Call Of Duty will stay multiplatform even after the acquisition goes through (pic: Activision)

Spencer’s comments come from a recent interview with Bloomberg, where he was also asked about the state of Activision and the ensuing deal. The company’s reputation has been put through the wringer since last year, following damning accusations of sexual harassment.

Microsoft, and even Spencer himself, suggested they could break ties with Activision if it didn’t clean up its act, only for it to later emerge that he opened acquisition talks with the company the very next day.

Spencer told Bloomberg that he examined Activision’s strategy to improve its work environment before finalising the deal in January and that he believes it’s on the right track – although he would hardly say otherwise.

More: Gaming

‘When I look at the work that they’re doing now – there’s always more that can be done – but I believe from the studio leaders there that I know very well, some of them former Xbox members, that they’re committed to this journey. And I applaud that regardless of the deal,’ he said.

Activision itself has done little to convince anyone else it’s turning a new leaf. In the last several months, it refused to publish a discrimination report on its working conditions and, according to a Kotaku report, is actively undermining attempts at unionisation efforts within its studios.

‘I’ve never run an organisation that has unions in it, but what I can say in working through this is we recognise workers’ needs to feel safe and heard and compensated fairly in order to do great work,’ Spencer said. ‘We definitely see a need to support the workers in the outcomes that they want to have.’

Remember when Activision investigated itself and found no wrongdoing? (pic: Activision)

Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, and follow us on Twitter.

MORE : Xbox accuses PlayStation of paying publishers to keep games off Game Pass

MORE : Activision Blizzard investigates itself over toxic workplace – decides it did nothing wrong

MORE : Xbox One sold around 50 million consoles – half that of PS4 – reveals legal document

Follow Metro Gaming on Twitter and email us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk

To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.

Entertainment – MetroRead More