Key Takeaways
- Xbox boss Phil Spencer is wary of licensed games due to licensing issues and puts creative reasons first.
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an exception in Spencer's view, in that it was developed by a passionate team and is not tied to any specific film.
- Spencer is confident about the Indiana Jones license and emphasizes the importance of strong relationships.
xbox Phil Spencer's boss has explained why he is wary of making licensed video games and explained why. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle This is an exception to that rule. Bethesda's Coming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle It's scheduled for release on December 9 and will launch first on Xbox consoles and PC, with a PlayStation 5 port expected in late 2025. great circle This is the first one indiana jones Licensed games since 2011 Indiana Jones Adventure World.
Licensed video games are tricky beasts. Historically, video games based on movies were not very desirable because they were often of poor quality and had to be tied only to the latest game to be released in theaters. Practices changed in the mid-to-late 2000s, as developers and publishers began investing resources into other ways of producing licensed video games, usually doing their own work based on the IP. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one such example in that it is not a game based on a specific film in the franchise, but takes inspiration from history to create something new. Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently discussed the challenges of creating licensed games.
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In a conversation with Game File (powered by IGN), Spencer discussed the complex nature of licensed games and how to place them on streaming and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. The main reason Spencer is so hesitant to license games is specifically racing games, which are delisted due to the company losing its license. The most immediate and relevant example of Spencer's statement is how Xbox holds its own. Forza Horizon 4 Even though the game has achieved a lot of success since its initial release in 2018, it will be delisted on December 15th. “I’ve seen racing games get delisted because they lost certain licenses,” Spencer said. “So I’m always very careful that if we license, we’re doing it for creative reasons. [that] The team has goals for what they want to do.”
Licensed games require passionate teams, says Phil Spencer.
Another reason Spencer is so reluctant to license games is because they require passionate creative teams. Indiana Jones and the Great Circlewhich is being developed by MachineGames with oversight from Lucasfilm Games, is an example of what Spencer is looking for. Spencer says the developers at MachineGames really “love” the world of games. indiana jonespraise the story great circle He says this is one of its strongest parts, especially in the way the game puts the player in Indiana Jones' shoes through a first-person perspective.
This has been seen in racing games that had to be removed from the list because they lost certain licenses. So I'm always very careful that if we're licensing, we're doing it for creative reasons. [that] The team has goals for what they want to do.
Spencer was asked if he was worried about his license. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle It will eventually expire, Spencer says. xboxPartnership with Lucasfilm and Disney. To affirm the strong relationship between the two companies, he mentions how Arkane is still evolving. marbles blade He said he recently visited the development team.