As gamescom kicked off, I had the possibility for a fast sit down with our boss whereas we each visited Cologne. Phil is glad to be again – and he doesn’t simply imply at gamescom.
“We’re again – by way of the manufacturing, the sport growth and the cadence of the video games which can be popping out,” he tells me. “And it feels nice to be at [events like gamescom], getting to point out what the groups are engaged on.”
There’s a lot to see – particularly as that is his first in-person gamescom look since 2017. He’s contemporary from introducing never-before-seen Starfield gameplay alongside director Todd Howard, and visiting Xbox’s 50,000 sq. foot sales space. If there’s a single phrase to explain the vibe within the room, ‘exhilarated’ captures it:
“That is the largest shopper recreation present that’s on the market, [and it’s] been good to see how gamescom has grown in significance. As a workforce, we appeared on the alternative: Starfield is popping out, Forza Motorsport’s following it, we’ve got a whole lot of companions that wished to have a presence, and we stated, ‘Let’s exit, [have] 50,000 sq. ft for our sales space.’ Make an announcement: that Europe’s necessary; gaming is clearly necessary; and that we’re investing and we’ve got so much to point out. I’m glad I received to return this yr. And the response to this point has been implausible.”
This additionally looks like an inflection level – after reaffirming a dedication to releasing a first-party recreation each quarter simply two months in the past, we’re making that promise a actuality:
“As we glance ahead in 2023 and to 2024, we’ve got a whole lot of confidence – and we’ve got a whole lot of video games coming. So not solely Starfield and Forza Motorsport, that are clearly the 2 this fall, however I’ve to shout out that I really like the drop of Age of Empires IV on console that we did at Opening Night time Stay – that’s a recreation I’m gonna play a ton of. However you recognize, Ara: Historical past Untold is within the sales space. Towerborne is within the sales space. We’ve received video games like Hellblade II and Avowed coming.”
The Age of Empires IV second is Xbox’s third shock launch of the yr, after Hello-Fi Rush and the improved Quake II, each introduced at different occasions. I ask if that’s a case of wanting to avoid wasting surprises for reveals exterior of our Summer season Xbox Video games Showcase – however the reply is extra easy:
“So we really want a number of beats now, as a result of not each recreation can have a forty five minute Starfield Direct as a part of our Showcase. However we have to have time to truly give the creators the time to inform their story, and what they’re taking pictures for. For a number of moments across the yr – from Directs to the Showcase to right here at Gamescom – it’s going to be necessary that we make use of these.”
Earlier than we end our chat, Phil is especially eager to level out a private favourite on the Xbox sales space this yr. Having been made amid the context of the battle in Ukraine, STALKER 2 is playable at gamescom – a triumph in itself:
“We’re at a giant gaming present, I like to speak about video video games, and then you definately go discuss to that workforce by way of what they’ve been by way of, and it makes the dialogue about video video games appear nearly irrelevant,” says Spencer. “When it comes to the life expertise, what they’ve needed to reside by way of in Ukraine. So to spend somewhat little bit of time with the workforce – hear the place they’re at – are folks protected? And never everyone is, or has been. And but they’re right here exhibiting their recreation with satisfaction.
“That sort of transcends what video video games are about – it’s superior that we’re right here as a part of it. I would like STALKER 2 to return out, I would like it to be nice, however greater than any of that I would like that workforce to be protected. And I believe constructing their recreation has created a rallying level for them, amongst different issues […] With a whole lot of horrible stuff happening round them, they’ve had this factor – it might have been a online game, it might have been something – however they’ve had this online game to sort of give them a middle. We’ve tried to be a useful a part of their course of, however it’s all been about them, and that conviction that they’ve. Having a STALKER 2 part within the sales space, having it playable, having a few of the workforce right here – that’s fairly particular.”
The traces to play STALKER 2 yesterday are testomony to that reality. However the pleasure of getting such a stacked line-up is that there’s one thing for everybody to attempt. Elsewhere on the sales space, I’d level out the likes of the primary ever playable construct of action-RPG Towerborne – learn our full preview on Xbox Wire – and the detailed overview to Ara: Historical past Untold, a brand new tackle grand technique from many builders who labored on the Civilization collection. And ensure to regulate Don’t Nod’s Jusant, which blew me away with its advanced, attractive climbing mechanics.
Gamescom continues in the present day – however when you’ve not been on the present, you don’t must miss out. Try every little thing we’ve got throughout our three-day stream occasion.
