Phil Spencer Discusses Redfall’s Disappointing Launch: Analyzing the Causes and Future of Xbox Exclusives
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer addresses the disappointing launch of Redfall, taking responsibility for the game’s shortcomings and sharing insights on the development challenges. With numerous bugs and glitches plaguing the ambitious open-world looter shooter, concerns arise about the future quality of Xbox exclusives and Arkane Studios’ releases.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently opened up about the lukewarm reception to Arkane Studios’ Redfall, acknowledging the game’s shortcomings and offering an explanation for its rough launch. In this blog post, we delve into Spencer’s thoughts on the matter and examine the game’s development process to better understand what led to its disappointing release.
Release: RedfallPhil Spencer’s Reaction to Redfall’s Reception
In a recent episode of Kinda Funny’s Xcast, Spencer expressed his disappointment in Redfall’s mixed reviews and rocky launch. He admitted to being upset with himself, as he felt responsible for letting the Xbox community down. Spencer also revealed that the game was originally intended to support 60fps, but was only able to achieve 30fps on consoles during its release.
“There’s nothing more difficult for me than disappointing the Xbox community,” Spencer said during an episode of Kinda Funny’s Xcast. “I’m upset with myself.”
“I want to give the teams the creative platform to go and push their abilities and aspirations,” Spencer said. “But I also need to have a great selection of games that surprise and delight our fans and we underdelivered on that and for that, I apologize.”
The Risks and Rewards of Trying Something New
During the discussion, Spencer praised developers for stepping outside their comfort zones and experimenting with fresh ideas. He cited Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi Rush, Obsidian Entertainment’s Grounded, and Rare’s Sea of Thieves as successful examples. Arkane Studios, known for its single-player games, was also attempting to break new ground with Redfall, an online co-op game.
Spencer stated that while he encourages creative freedom, the end goal is to deliver a diverse range of games that surprise and delight fans. Unfortunately, he believes they underdelivered in this case and apologized for the oversight.
Microsoft’s Role in Redfall’s Development
Spencer recognized that Microsoft could have done more to support Arkane Studios throughout Redfall’s development. He explained that they failed to properly engage with Arkane Austin, which impacted the game’s final outcome. Spencer admitted that they should have intervened sooner and will use this experience as a learning opportunity.
“We didn’t do a good job early on of engaging with Arkane Austin to really help them understand what it meant to be part of Xbox. We left them to work on the game–they’re a very talented team and I love that team–I still do.”
It’s important to note that Redfall was already well into development when Microsoft acquired Bethesda, the parent company of Arkane Studios. This contrasts with Starfield, which was in its early stages when the acquisition took place. As a result, Microsoft had a more hands-on approach during Starfield’s development.
The State of Redfall and Its Impact on Xbox Exclusives
With a Metascore of 62 (User’s Score is 2.6) on Metacritic, Redfall has significantly underperformed compared to other recent Xbox first-party releases. The game’s concept—an open-world looter shooter where players battle vampires—seemed promising. However, numerous bugs, glitches, and unfinished assets have marred the gaming experience.
The underwhelming performance of Redfall raises concerns about the quality of future Xbox exclusives. Gamers are left questioning whether this release represents a new standard for titles from Arkane Studios, the developer behind acclaimed games like Prey and Dishonored.
Conclusion
Despite its ambitious premise, Redfall has fallen short of expectations due to a myriad of technical issues. Phil Spencer’s candid response to the game’s reception sheds light on the challenges faced during its development and highlights the importance of proper support from publishers.
Release: RedfallAs Redfall is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, gamers must decide for themselves whether the game is worth their time and investment.
READ MORE POSTS
One Comment