2023-06-12 16:59:09
Microsoft will hold the Xbox Games Showcase, the only full-spec game showcase event for a game platformer, in the event space right next to the Los Angeles Convention Center at the E3 venue in June of the E3 season. bottom.
I also visited Los Angeles for the first time in four years as a person in charge of Xbox, but when I entered downtown, there was not a single game signboard, and I could not feel the enthusiasm that made the city crowded with people involved in the game industry. However, as long as I participate in the Xbox Games Showcase, it feels like the old E3 has been revived, and I can enjoy the scenery where new works for the holiday season appear one after another in this land of Los Angeles. did it.
The reason why Microsoft’s Xbox team takes the trouble to hold a showcase event that can be done online is to make it clear that they value the game community. This time, along with the Xbox Games Showcase, a fan event FANFEST for the game community was also held at the same time, and the majority of the visitors who watched the Xbox Games Showcase at the theater were actually the game community, and the rest were our media and related parties. It is in the form of sharing.
【Xbox Games Showcase 2023】
The majority of visitors are from the gaming community
After the broadcast ended, the speakers appeared.surrounded by loud cheers
Phil Spencer thanking the community for their support
As the latest game platformer, Microsoft understands the power of game IP, the importance of continuing the franchise, and the power of the game community that is tied to it. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, we are focusing on increasing the loyalty of the gaming community. We value our users above all else. It was an event that made me realize this attitude again.
Exciting FANFEST venue.Gaming community is the star
In this article, I was able to interview Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, who is in charge of Microsoft’s game business, for the first time in nine months since last year’s TGS, so I hope Xbox fans will enjoy it.
Phil Spencer: welcome. how was the showcase?
――It exceeded my expectations. It was a surprise to see first-time information coming out from Japanese manufacturers like Capcom, Sega, and Atlus.
Phil Spencer: It would be so? But it wasn’t really a surprise, did you know? (smile)
――Was that leak information real?
Phil Spencer: Unfortunately it is. Two of the three Atlus titles were leaked ahead of time.
――Personally, it was good that you brought “Fable” first. “Fable” is a popular franchise in Japan, and when it comes to Xbox, the image of “Fable” is strong.
【Fable – Xbox Games Showcase】
Phil Spencer: “Fable” was the first franchise I worked on during my time at Microsoft Game Studio. It’s a special title for me, and I was happy that it came out first.
――This time, the release date was not announced, but will it be released a little later?
Phil Spencer: how about that. However, I don’t think I’ll have to wait that long because it’s already completed to a level where I can play.
――Is it okay to take the fact that information about the first release of a Japanese manufacturer’s title is coming out that Xbox is gradually gaining strength in the Japanese market?
Phil Spencer: The relationship that Sara Bond is promoting with Japanese manufacturers is extremely important to us. We have a very good relationship with the manufacturers we have announced this time, but there are also manufacturers who want to improve more than it is not enough yet. Overall, I think the relationship with Japanese manufacturers is getting better.
――Is Square Enix the manufacturer you want to improve?
Phil Spencer: Exactly (laughs). I have many friends at Square Enix, and I believe that these relationships can be further developed. Many Xbox users want Square Enix titles, so we will continue to work hard.
In fact, four years ago, Atlas was nothing like it is now. This time, he was able to present not only “Persona” but also new works such as “Metaphor: Rifantagio”. He believes he could do something similar with Square Enix.
【Metaphor: ReFantazio — Announcement Trailer】
–Right now, Mr. Yoshida from Square Enix is holding a “Final Fantasy XVI” event nearby. Does this mean that this “FFXVI” and another title “FFXIV” he is in charge of will be able to be played on the Xbox in the future?
Phil Spencer: I can’t make any specific announcements at this time, but Mr. Yoshida is a respectable game creator, and we have had discussions about various things. My goal is to evolve the relationship to just that state.
――Even after your interview at TGS last year, the number of Xbox users in Japan continues to grow. What are your thoughts on this point?
Phil Spencer: It’s a lovely situation. More importantly, it will strengthen its support for game developers in Japan. We will create an environment where Japanese creators can more easily create Xbox games. It will be sold at the global Microsoft Store. We will handle first Japanese titles like Capcom’s “Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess” on Xbox. At last year’s TGS, Sarah Bond and I went to Japan to communicate with various manufacturers.
――Speaking of Japanese creators, Hideo Kojima is one of them.
Phil Spencer: Unfortunately not yet. However, as you may know, I met Mr. Kojima when he came to Japan for TGS last year. We are in the process of talking about a new game.
Mr. Phil Spencer, who came to Japan for TGS, visited Kojima Productions
with Phil Spencer.pic.twitter.com/VMiDW5e1ep
— Hideo Kojima (@Kojima_Hideo)September 17, 2022
Q: Can we expect new announcements at the Tokyo Game Show?
Phil Spencer: We haven’t decided what to announce at TGS yet. I would love to go, and if I am able to go, I would like to announce a new game that will please the Japanese gaming community.
――The Xbox Series X is finally available in Japan. Can we assume that the inventory problem has been completely resolved?
Phil Spencer: As announced today, we are strengthening the supply of Xbox Series X globally. I understand that it has been difficult to purchase Xbox Series X in Japan. I am trying to resolve it.
――This time, we announced the 1TB model of the Xbox Series S, but can we expect the appearance of the 2TB model of the Xbox Series X in the future?
【Xbox Series S（1TB）】
Phil Spencer: We can’t announce anything at this time, but after receiving a lot of feedback from users, we have announced that we will expand the size of the Xbox Series S this time. We will continue to listen to and respond to the needs of players.
— “Redfall” was buggy and frankly disappointing. How did this happen?
Phil Spencer: (Thinks for a while) It is true that the development team itself worked hard to make it, but I think that Team Xbox could not adequately support the studio’s vision and goals.
――I had the impression that Microsoft’s games were high quality, but this time my trust was shaken. How are you going to care about this?
Phil Spencer: Thank you for saying that. The first is to make Redfall better. We were just launching, so we’re not going to make the excuse that we can’t help it. We will try our best to provide better products. This time, what happened with “Redfall” is a lesson for the entire Microsoft-owned studio, and I want to make sure it never happens again.
Q: Recently, all the talk about Xbox reaching Japan is about the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and as a game fan, it’s frustrating. When will the acquisition be completed and when will the new phase begin?
Phil Spencer: I know that (laughs). We are also working hard, but it is true that more than 18 months have already passed. We also want to close the acquisition as soon as possible and move on to a new step. Microsoft is in talks with regulators to reach a resolution.
–Don’t you know when that will be?
Phil Spencer: It’s the regulators that control the whole thing, so we don’t know when it will close. But I’m happy that we were able to close it (get permission) in Japan. It is now licensed in 40 countries.
――“Starfield” is a masterpiece that meets my expectations, and I am looking forward to its release. By the way, is there a future for “Starfield” to expand to other platforms, such as PS5 and Nintendo Switch?
Phil Spencer: do not have. “Starfield” can only be played on Xbox and PC.
–At the round-table discussion held just now, you said that you highly valued “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.” If you’ve actually played it, could you tell me what specifically you appreciate about it as a game fan?
Phil Spencer: I’m playing Zelda. I think there’s a lot of room for user creativity to intervene in the gameplay cycle. In the previous game “Breath of the Wild”, the creators controlled the game, but in “Tears of the Kingdom” the players themselves can have an impact on the game. This is the biggest evaluation point. I think the Zelda development team did a great job.
――Do you have a message for Japanese game fans?
Phil Spencer: I am always inspired by Japanese players and creators. I would like to continue to work hard to make Xbox more important in the Japanese game market, and the feedback from Japanese fans has been a source of strength. thank you for always. Thank you for your continued support.
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