Phil Spencer Addresses the Industry’s Risk Issue
The current climate in the gaming industry has become more challenging than ever for developers who take risks. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer, speaking at the Paley International Council Summit, said the industry needs to open more space for creativity and experimentation. While acknowledging that Xbox hasn’t always been successful in protecting creative teams, Spencer made some noteworthy remarks, saying, “Still, the heart of this business lies in taking risks.”
Phil Spencer: “Creative Teams Are Brave, But the Internet Isn’t Always Fair”
Spencer, along with Double Fine founder Tim Schafer, assessed the current state of the gaming industry at the event. “I think it’s one of the bravest things a team can do when they submit their work to the judgment of the internet. Because the internet isn’t always a kind place,” Spencer said. Emphasizing the importance of developers taking risks, Spencer said, “Protecting and supporting creative teams should be at the core of the media industry.”
Spencer admitted that Xbox has made mistakes in the past: “We haven’t always been successful, but creative spark is at the heart of the entire media industry.” This statement has recently brought to the forefront issues such as online harassment, toxic community behavior, and the stifling of creativity.
Spencer’s words were also interpreted as an indirect reference to the frequent online targeting of games, particularly those with female characters or diverse themes. Players’ social media slamming of certain titles simply for being “not appealing enough” has recently led to development teams working under psychological pressure. Addressing this situation, Spencer said, “We know the internet can be brutal when a game comes out. But we have to maintain the courage of our creative teams.”
However, the layoffs and volatile organizational structure at studios under Microsoft contradict Spencer’s goal of “creating a safe space.” The backlash teams like Obsidian Entertainment faced for their character designs in Avowed demonstrates how lacking the protective culture Spencer described remains. Nevertheless, Spencer paints a hopeful picture for the future of the industry. “Creativity is the DNA of gaming,” says Spencer. “And we at Xbox will strive to preserve those creative voices as much as possible.”
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