Xbox Boss Phil Spencer comments on licensed games

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Key Takeaways

  • Xbox boss Phil Spencer is wary of licensed games due to licensing issues and prioritizes creative causes.
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is unique in Spencer's view, as it was developed by a passionate team and is not tied to any particular film.
  • Spencer is confident about the Indiana Jones franchise and emphasizes the importance of strong relationships.



Xbox Boss Phil Spencer explains why he's considering licensed video game production and explains why Indiana Jones and the Circle is an exception to that rule. Bethesda is coming Indiana Jones and the Circle It will be released on December 9, starting on Xbox consoles and PC first, with a PlayStation 5 port coming in 2025. The Golden Circle is the first Indiana Jones licensed game since 2011 Indiana Jones Adventure World.

Licensed video games are a complex beast. Historically, video games based on movies were not very popular, as most were of poor quality and were only intended to be related to the latest theatrical releases. The practice changed in the mid-2000s, as developers and publishers devoted their resources to other ways of producing licensed video games, often making their own based on IP. Indiana Jones and the Circle An example of this, because it is not a game based on a specific movie from the franchise, but needs inspiration from its history to create something new. Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently talked about the challenges of making licensed games.


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Speaking to Game File (obtained by IGN), Spencer discussed the complex nature of licensed games and how to get them onto streaming and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. The main reason why Spencer is skeptical about licensed games is the racing game that has been removed, due to the loss of business. The most direct and important example of Spencer's statement is the way of Xbox Forza Horizon 4 was removed on December 15, although the game was very successful after its original release in 2018. you,” Spencer said. “So I'm always careful, if we're going to take a license, we're going to do it for creative reasons, [that] the team has goals around what they want to do.”



Licensed Games Need Passionate Teams, Phil Spencer Says

Another reason Spencer is skeptical about licensed games is the demand for creative teams that are interested in licensing. Indiana Jones and the Circlewhich was developed by MachineGames with supervision from Lucasfilm Games, is an example of what Spencer is looking for. Spencer says that the developers at MachineGames really “love” the world Indiana Jonespraise the history of The Golden Circle saying that it is one of the strongest parts, especially in the way the game puts the player in the shoes of Indiana Jones through his first-person perspective.

We saw this in racing games that had to be removed, because they lost some permissions. So I'm always careful, if we're going to take a license, we're doing it for creative reasons, [that] The team has goals around what they want to do.


When asked if Spencer was worried about the license for the Indiana Jones and the Circle will finally expire, Spencer says she feels “great.” XboxThe partnership with Lucasfilm and Disney. In order to strengthen the strong relationship between the companies, he said that Arkane is still developing Marvel's Blade and he recently visited the development team.

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