Why the hate for Phil Spencer?

I still contend they made a lot of the right moves and their devs actually let them down. Imagine what the calendar looked like 6 months before the console launch. They had good studios making big expensive titles. They just all happened to flop. Every single one of them. Quality wise I mean. Sales followed suit as they should, but they were bad games.
 
I like Phil, too, OP. He might be a clinical psychopath given the way he presents himself and acts in relation to that, but he's a nice guy. Has some charme. He's probably a massive narcissist, too, but who isn't right. Maybe that's a prerequisite to do these kinds of jobs at companies like MS.
 
GloveSlap said:
You can argue that he was given a near impossible job, but even in that context he performed really badly.
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Eh, Nintendo was in a worse situation when they launched the Switch, and they managed to go back to success with something Phil believes doesn't help: a 11/10 game.
 
Personally I grew to dislike him because I thought he would turn the brand around but hasn't really done anything except promising better days and buying studios who do… well, who knows what they do. We sure don't.
 
Because he consistently lies and sugar coats things

And he does silly things like getting people to play games on his xbox profile to make it look like he has been playing them himself
 
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I feel like he hasn't won nearly enough "battles" to justify him getting our trust.

I really liked his energy when he entered the picture. But after all these investments, you'd expect some stronger results tbh.

The brand is damaged. Xbox as Netflix for gaming, is not what I wanted to see Phil pushing so hard.

That cell shaded shadow drop studio got booted. Halo is fucked. Bethesda and Blizzard are not making great games for core gamers. Perfect Dark is scrapped. What the hell is Xbox doing?

Not to mention the shitty collaborations with Koei Tecmo. Or the overrated Hellblade slop.

Phil hasn't "saved" Xbox, he has merely guided it in directions I don't care about. I wanted to see Xbox their versions of Splatoon and Astrobot, and many more successes for Halo, Gears and new IP.
 
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Joel Was Right said:
He admitted that Microsoft leadership wanted to shut down the entire Xbox division after the failed launch of the Xbox One decimated the platform. Yet, he fought for the brand, advocating for Game Pass and convincing Microsoft to invest $80 billion into the division. Whatever doubts the company had, his efforts ensured they remained committed to Xbox for the long term.

All the positives Xbox has had over the decade have come from his initiatives, while the problems -- primarily the loss console sales to the PS4 -- came from decisions made by his predecessors.

So is there any real justification for the continuous hate he gets?
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Do you really still believe to him? Whatever he said I'd take with a grain of salt now.
 
He doesn't believe in making great games, he said so and I'll never agree with him, plus his version of PC gaming using the Xbox app isn't PC gaming if it's behind a control wall. That's my personal issues with Phil
 
Joel Was Right said:
Whatever doubts the company had, his efforts ensured they remained committed to Xbox for the long term.
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Eyes Looking GIF
 
He has contradicted himself or lied way too many times but I dislike the fanbase that fawns over him and repeats his false talking points of the day more than I do Phil himself.
 
Dacvak said:
I don't really know much about Phil Spencer, but I like game pass. Mostly I like that I get it for 50% off, though. I know most people here hate the service, and I won't argue whether it's good or bad for the industry (probably bad?), but I sure enjoy playing all of the newly released games for super cheap.
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All of the newly released games?

Which Game Pass are you using, Ultimate Ultimate? 🙂
 
Donald mac Ronald said:
I see 12 years on and the philites are still trying to blame don mattrick for all of Phil's problems. It's entertaining, it really is.
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Right, it seems to me they're echoing the complaints you often hear from former Soviet nations – blaming ongoing problems and stagnation on the legacy of the Soviet Union, despite having enjoyed independence for more than three decades.
 
Joel Was Right said:
He admitted that Microsoft leadership wanted to shut down the entire Xbox division after the failed launch of the Xbox One decimated the platform. Yet, he fought for the brand, advocating for Game Pass and convincing Microsoft to invest $80 billion into the division. Whatever doubts the company had, his efforts ensured they remained committed to Xbox for the long term.
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Committed how? You fail, you cut your losses, you start again (or let someone else try it). Instead we have the brand dying in real time over the last 10 years. Sometimes you just need to take the L.
 
Firstly I don't hate the guy, I think he's a shit leader with a lack of vision and strategy. He constantly flip flops between different strategies which ultimately set Xbox back further and further until they are what they are today.

With the right leadership they could potentially pull things back and garner some trust in their products and services from the gaming community.
 
Cyberpunkd said:
Committed how? You fail, you cut your losses, you start again (or let someone else try it). Instead we have the brand dying in real time over the last 10 years. Sometimes you just need to take the L.
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Exactly. Trying to reinvent the wheel after every previous attempt fail is not the best way to handle this
 
ChatGPT organised some of the highlights for me :P
Personally I find him a bit of a weasel who speaks with both sides of his mouth.

Hardware & Platform Failures

1.

Xbox One Generation Laggard (Inherited but Continued)

  • Xbox One was already in a weak position in 2014, but despite efforts, it never recovered market share from the PS4.
  • Spencer improved things, but Xbox One sales remained well behind competitors throughout the generation.

2.

Xbox Series X/S Shortages and Identity Crisis

  • Series X/S launched in 2020, but due to chip shortages, availability was limited for a long time.
  • The Series S (cheaper model) caused some confusion among consumers, and its weaker specs have caused bottlenecks in game development.

💻

Software & Game Development Stumbles

3.

Halo Infinite's Troubled Development and Launch (2021)

  • Multiple delays, missing features (co-op campaign, Forge), and inconsistent direction.
  • Launched with good core gameplay but lacked content and polish expected from a flagship title.

4.

Redfall (2023)

  • One of the most heavily criticized releases in Xbox history.
  • Poor visuals, bugs, lackluster gameplay, and broken multiplayer at launch.
  • Spencer publicly took responsibility in interviews: "We let people down."

5.

Lack of First-Party Hits (Pre-2023)

  • For years, Xbox lagged behind PlayStation and Nintendo in terms of exclusive game quality and impact.
  • Games were often delayed or canceled, and there was a perceived "games drought."


🧩

Studio Management Issues

6.

Closure of Studios (2024)

  • Despite aggressive acquisitions, Xbox shut down several studios, including:
    • Arkane Austin (Redfall)
    • Tango Gameworks (Hi-Fi Rush, a critically acclaimed title)
    • Alpha Dog Games and others
  • Hi-Fi Rush had positive reception, so its closure sparked major backlash.
  • This created confusion about Xbox's actual strategy regarding creativity and investment.

7.

Mismanagement of Acquisitions

  • Despite acquiring Bethesda (2021) and Activision Blizzard (2023), results have been mixed.
  • Bethesda titles (e.g., Starfield) have been divisive, not system-sellers.
  • Activision's future under Xbox remains uncertain, and regulatory scrutiny damaged Xbox's public image during the acquisition process.

💸

Business Strategy & Messaging Issues

8.

Mixed Signals About Console Focus

  • Repeated emphasis on "playing anywhere" and Game Pass led many to believe Xbox was de-emphasizing consoles.
  • Confusion increased with day-one Game Pass PC releases and hints that exclusives might come to PS5/Switch.
  • In 2024-2025, Xbox started bringing exclusives to other platforms — a move viewed by fans as abandoning the Xbox brand.

9.

Game Pass Growth Slowing

  • Game Pass was initially a success, but subscription growth has stagnated.
  • Questions have been raised about the sustainability of day-one releases on Game Pass and their impact on game quality.

10.

Cloud Gaming Unrealized Potential

  • Xbox pushed cloud gaming (xCloud) heavily, but it has not become mainstream.
  • Input latency, device compatibility, and limited consumer interest hindered adoption.

🤔

PR Missteps & Communication Blunders

11.

"We Lost the Worst Generation to Lose" (2023 Interview)

  • Phil Spencer admitted Xbox "can't just out-console Sony or Nintendo" and called the Xbox One era the worst gen to fall behind.
  • While honest, this was viewed as defeatist and demoralizing by fans.

12.

Inconsistent Messaging on Exclusivity

  • Statements often contradicted actions — e.g., promising exclusives, then releasing them cross-platform.
  • This inconsistency confused fans and hurt brand loyalty.
 
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One things for sure, announcing a new entry in a well-loved franchise, getting gamers hyped and then canning the project and shutting down the studio within a year is a sure-fire way to build long-term consumer confidence in your brand, console and ecosystem. /s
 
Acquired tons of studios just to shut them down.
Announced games with cg trailer, which where also cancelled.
Some franchises got only worse, like halo and Forza.

He is the head of Xbox. It doesn't matter if it is his "fault", it is his responsibility. If in two generations he couldn't undo what his predecessors did, maybe it's time to let someone else try.
 
Leave my Phl alone, he seems a nice guymer living in bad times. Covid and the diversity push and the industry collusion to price hiked…new fresh games are such a rarity since ps5/sx gen started

look I don't like to be part of crunch times but who knows how many individuals would exploit this and add to the bloat

Less games, all bloat, jobs replication from acquisitions, Phil just set himself up to be under fire.

Sony pretty much cruised this gen upon remakes and ps4 base…Xbox did not have such luxury, Phil played it big and he lost it all

Xbox SX had a seemingly decent start… what a waste!

But not all is lost, we shall see where his "This is an Xbox" pivot will take the brand. If he managed to save xbox once, he can do it again!
 
MetalFreak said:
ChatGPT organised some of the highlights for me :P
Personally I find him a bit of a weasel who speaks with both sides of his mouth.

Hardware & Platform Failures

1.

Xbox One Generation Laggard (Inherited but Continued)

  • Xbox One was already in a weak position in 2014, but despite efforts, it never recovered market share from the PS4.
  • Spencer improved things, but Xbox One sales remained well behind competitors throughout the generation.

2.

Xbox Series X/S Shortages and Identity Crisis

  • Series X/S launched in 2020, but due to chip shortages, availability was limited for a long time.
  • The Series S (cheaper model) caused some confusion among consumers, and its weaker specs have caused bottlenecks in game development.

💻

Software & Game Development Stumbles

3.

Halo Infinite's Troubled Development and Launch (2021)

  • Multiple delays, missing features (co-op campaign, Forge), and inconsistent direction.
  • Launched with good core gameplay but lacked content and polish expected from a flagship title.

4.

Redfall (2023)

  • One of the most heavily criticized releases in Xbox history.
  • Poor visuals, bugs, lackluster gameplay, and broken multiplayer at launch.
  • Spencer publicly took responsibility in interviews: "We let people down."

5.

Lack of First-Party Hits (Pre-2023)

  • For years, Xbox lagged behind PlayStation and Nintendo in terms of exclusive game quality and impact.
  • Games were often delayed or canceled, and there was a perceived "games drought."


🧩

Studio Management Issues

6.

Closure of Studios (2024)

  • Despite aggressive acquisitions, Xbox shut down several studios, including:
    • Arkane Austin (Redfall)
    • Tango Gameworks (Hi-Fi Rush, a critically acclaimed title)
    • Alpha Dog Games and others
  • Hi-Fi Rush had positive reception, so its closure sparked major backlash.
  • This created confusion about Xbox's actual strategy regarding creativity and investment.

7.

Mismanagement of Acquisitions

  • Despite acquiring Bethesda (2021) and Activision Blizzard (2023), results have been mixed.
  • Bethesda titles (e.g., Starfield) have been divisive, not system-sellers.
  • Activision's future under Xbox remains uncertain, and regulatory scrutiny damaged Xbox's public image during the acquisition process.

💸

Business Strategy & Messaging Issues

8.

Mixed Signals About Console Focus

  • Repeated emphasis on "playing anywhere" and Game Pass led many to believe Xbox was de-emphasizing consoles.
  • Confusion increased with day-one Game Pass PC releases and hints that exclusives might come to PS5/Switch.
  • In 2024-2025, Xbox started bringing exclusives to other platforms — a move viewed by fans as abandoning the Xbox brand.

9.

Game Pass Growth Slowing

  • Game Pass was initially a success, but subscription growth has stagnated.
  • Questions have been raised about the sustainability of day-one releases on Game Pass and their impact on game quality.

10.

Cloud Gaming Unrealized Potential

  • Xbox pushed cloud gaming (xCloud) heavily, but it has not become mainstream.
  • Input latency, device compatibility, and limited consumer interest hindered adoption.

🤔

PR Missteps & Communication Blunders

11.

"We Lost the Worst Generation to Lose" (2023 Interview)

  • Phil Spencer admitted Xbox "can't just out-console Sony or Nintendo" and called the Xbox One era the worst gen to fall behind.
  • While honest, this was viewed as defeatist and demoralizing by fans.

12.

Inconsistent Messaging on Exclusivity

  • Statements often contradicted actions — e.g., promising exclusives, then releasing them cross-platform.
  • This inconsistency confused fans and hurt brand loyalty.
Click to expand...
Chatgpt forgot the big one.

Relying on middle aged Xbox shills to market the brand.
 
The man is deluded like Donald Trump, making it out that brand Xbox is stronger than ever, when clearly it is not...it was under HIS watch that the dumb idea "this is an Xbox" originated, under his watch all these studios have closed down....they have lost the essence of what made the brand great from 2001 up until Xbox One..
 
People remember when you could be excited for Xbox shows, when they had new games to show and were making an effort to compete in the market. The Summer Game Fest event they just had might be the first time in a decade they had a respectable showing.

Spencer is also emblematic of a problem with many large modern companies: you can fail for years on end and only the staff under you get punished for it (a problem Sony shares). Why wouldn't people resent his continued tenure as layoffs happen because he's been running the Xbox division so poorly?
 
Microsoft put him out there to be a lightning rod for publicity so what else can you expect. I'm sure he gets paid well for it.

I have no idea what Microsoft think they are doing. Obviously they never really did well in Europe, always lost money on hardware, and the XBone was a disaster. Seeming not to take on those problems head on seems weak. I don't think that game pass is a very good product, the Activision purchase seemed like pure insanity purely invented to fatten the wallets of speculators and day traders as the chaos of it unfolded, and I'm sick of "buy Avowed premium edition" advertising popups in windows.
 
Isn't this the guy whose house was nuked by a player in Fallout 76? If you can't defend your cottage you built with 125 bottle caps how can you manage a multi billion dollars organization?
 
I just realized I prefer half-baked, not well thought through statements, that are authentic and spontaneous over ai generated, super precise and correct stuff.
 
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/tinfoil hat : Trying to get him cancelled so Sarah Bond can take over the gaming division at Microsoft. Wouldn't be surprised if a lot of this sentiment is manufactured by PR/Marketing people within the industry. Not at all organic.

He allowed the division to go full on woke (likely onboarded some very corrupt people in the process) and he's definitely going to pay the price as they slowly work to push him out.

Can't rule out very disgruntled ex-Xbox people too, soon more to add to that pile of resentment.
 
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He is the figurehead of Xbox. If they do well he will be showered in glory. If they don't, he will be vilified.

That's the nature of the job. He makes a ton of money so it's hard to feel too bad for him.

One statement I've found true with him, is that generally he over-promises and under-delivers. That gets old very quickly.
 
Too much yap and the end result is crap. Acquisitions and now they're getting disbanded left and right

The massive layoffs in almost every fucking studio is not a good sign for everybody
 
Hideous Snake said:
Too much yap and the end result is crap. Acquisitions and now they're getting disbanded left and right

The massive layoffs in almost every fucking studio is not a good sign for everybody
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If the layoffs don't include Rod Furgesson then Phil Spencer and those immediately reporting to him are fucking imbeciles and I'd breathe a massive sigh of relief if I were Nintendo and Playstation. That guy handedly destroyed Gears and Diablo as franchises back to back.
 
bighugeguns said:
If the layoffs don't include Rod Furgesson then Phil Spencer and those immediately reporting to him are fucking imbeciles and I'd breathe a massive sigh of relief if I were Nintendo and Playstation. That guy handedly destroyed Gears and Diablo as franchises back to back.
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Don't remind me. Two of my favourite franchises got destroyed by those cunts
 
Hideous Snake said:
Don't remind me. Two of my favourite franchises got destroyed by those cunts
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I'm sure Rod is a wonderful man outside of gaming but he's a fucking multi Billion lossmaker cancer on two legs, it would be wild if he still stuck around and will just prove this is only a well funded nepotistic boys club and nothing more, he's a fucking tool that guy.
 
It puzzles me more the hate from people that woudn't buy an xbox. It's pretty clear in the comments they would never buy it, so why being so affected by the guy?
 
simpatico said:
I still contend they made a lot of the right moves and their devs actually let them down. Imagine what the calendar looked like 6 months before the console launch. They had good studios making big expensive titles. They just all happened to flop. Every single one of them. Quality wise I mean. Sales followed suit as they should, but they were bad games.
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They could have delayed games they knew weren't good, instead of adopting the "good enough for game pass" way of thinking.
Redfall was shit and he released it anyway. Starfield was empty inside and he released it anyway.
 
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