The head of Microsoft’s gaming business has expressed his dislike of “manipulative” expansions.
Phil SpencerdiscussedXbox’s approach to releasing expansions for first-party titles in a new interview withGame File.
During the conversation, the interviewer raised the possibility ofMicrosoftcapitalising on large player bases provided by Game Pass by leaning more heavily into paid expansions.
Spencer said there’s no “top down mandate” on expansions and “not every game will do expansions”.
“It’s really left to the creators [regarding] what plan they have for their stories. I think it’s a great way for us to reengage players who may be lapsed.”
“I don’t like expansions that are manipulative,” Spencer added. “I want it to have a unique point of view. I don’t want it to be, like, the third level that you cut before you launched.”
In a separateBloomberginterview published today, Spencer saidXbox is still open to more acquisitionsfollowing last year’s $69 billion purchase ofActivision Blizzard.
He also said Xboxwouldn’t rule out any first-party game coming to PS5 or Switch, and thatXbox is working on handheld prototypes.
