Microsoft CEO Phil Spencer Discusses "Huge Demand" for New Game Starfield

Microsoft's Phil Spencer reveals plans to make Starfield accessible to millions of players while ensuring the appeal of Xbox consoles in a competitive gaming market.

Introduction: Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, made an appearance at the Political Opening of the Gamescom conference in Cologne, Germany, on August 23, 2023. During the event, Spencer discussed the "huge demand" for Microsoft's highly anticipated game, Starfield. As the CEO of gaming at Microsoft, Spencer aims to make the game accessible to millions of players across various devices. This article explores Microsoft's strategy to broaden the availability of its games while maintaining the appeal of its Xbox consoles in the face of competition from Sony's PlayStation and Nintendo's Switch. Microsoft's Expansive Game: Starfield Starfield, developed by Microsoft's Bethesda Game Studios, is described as "the first new universe in 25 years." The game offers players the opportunity to explore over 1,000 planets while building and buying spaceships. Microsoft acquired Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax, for $8.1 billion, enabling the inclusion of Starfield in its gaming portfolio. Initially planned for release on PlayStation, the exclusivity of Starfield to Microsoft devices raised concerns among fans and industry leaders. Aiming for Accessibility and Attraction While Microsoft strives to make its games widely available, it also recognizes the importance of offering unique attractions on its consoles. Gaming currently accounts for 6% of Microsoft's revenue, with Xbox content and services revenue growing faster than other parts of the company. With its pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the maker of popular franchises like Call of Duty, Microsoft aims to solidify its position in the gaming market. However, regulatory hurdles have delayed the completion of the deal. Addressing Exclusivity Concerns Phil Spencer responded to concerns about exclusivity by emphasizing that Starfield has already attracted a significant number of players on Xbox consoles. He revealed that the game is the most wish-listed title on the Steam game store, with positive reviews from critics on Metacritic. While Spencer did not confirm Starfield's release on PlayStation, he assured players that some of Activision's most popular titles would remain available on the platform for years to come. This statement echoes Microsoft's commitment to keeping Call of Duty games on PlayStation for a decade, as agreed upon in a recent agreement. Regulatory Challenges and Future Plans The Microsoft-Activision Blizzard acquisition faced regulatory challenges, prompting Microsoft to work on resolving concerns and ensuring the availability of games on various platforms. In July, the companies extended the deadline for completing the deal to October 18. Microsoft submitted a new proposal to the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority, suggesting the transfer of cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft for Activision's PC and console games for 15 years if the deal is finalized. Conclusion: Microsoft's CEO of gaming, Phil Spencer, is optimistic about the future of Starfield and the broader gaming landscape. While aiming to make the game accessible to millions of players, Microsoft also recognizes the importance of maintaining the appeal of its Xbox consoles. The pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard further solidifies Microsoft's position in the gaming market. As the deal undergoes regulatory scrutiny, Microsoft is working to address concerns and ensure the availability of games on various platforms. The gaming industry eagerly awaits the release of Starfield and the outcome of Microsoft's ambitious plans.