Xbox Boss Says He Doesn’t Want “Manipulative” Expansions

As a long-time gamer who has seen countless expansions come and go, I can wholeheartedly appreciate Microsoft’s approach to post-launch content for their first-party games. Phil Spencer’s stance on avoiding manipulative expansions that add actual value to the gaming experience resonates deeply with me.

This year, both “Starfield: Shattered Space” and “Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred,” major first-party Microsoft games, have received expansions. This suggests that the company might be open to regularly releasing substantial post-release expansions for their games in the future. However, it’s not guaranteed.

During an interview with Game File, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer emphasized that it’s not a blanket rule for all first-party studios to create post-launch expansions. In fact, he prefers expansions that enhance the overall gameplay experience rather than ones that feel exploitative or manipulative. Instead, he seeks expansions that genuinely add value to the game as a whole.

He mentioned that it’s up to the creators to decide on their story’s direction, which I believe is an effective method for drawing back players who might have taken a break.

“I dislike expansions that are manipulative or repetitive. Instead, I prefer them to have their own distinct perspective. I don’t want it to be a level added just before the game was released.

Spencer further mentioned that each launch serves as a learning opportunity, similar to the previously released “Shattered Space,” which came out earlier this year and received mixed reactions. The main criticism was about its lack of new features, causing some players to question its substance. Remarkably, according to Spencer, these criticisms made director Todd Howard ponder whether combining the expansion with the release of bug fixes (previously offered for free in the game) might have given it a more substantial feel.

He mentioned, “However, we’re constantly evolving our knowledge.” Discussing with Todd about the expansive universe of “Shattered Space“, I’ve invested a substantial amount of time into “Starfield” and hold it dear, but they have an interesting approach – introducing new features periodically throughout the year followed by an expansion.

“The general sentiment about the expansion seems to be that people wished for more added features. In response, someone suggested, ‘Perhaps we should have delayed releasing the product until we ironed out more bugs?’

In essence, Spencer points out that not all first-party Xbox games will automatically receive expansion packs.

“It seems like you’re aiming to strike a balance between the resources dedicated to development and the influence of growth, which is something that needs constant attention in any game. However, not all games necessarily require or undergo expansions.

2024-11-18 10:41

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