As gamescom kicked off, I had the prospect for a fast sit down with our boss whereas we each visited Cologne. Phil is glad to be again – and he doesn’t simply imply at gamescom. 

“We’re again – when it comes to the manufacturing, the sport improvement and the cadence of the video games which might be popping out,” he tells me. “And it feels nice to be at [events like gamescom], getting to indicate what the groups are engaged on.” 

There’s a lot to see – particularly as that is his first in-person gamescom look since 2017. He’s contemporary from introducing never-before-seen Starfield gameplay alongside director Todd Howard, and visiting Xbox’s 50,000 sq. foot sales space. If there’s a single phrase to explain the vibe within the room, ‘exhilarated’ captures it: 

“That is the most important shopper sport present that’s on the market, [and it’s] been good to see how gamescom has grown in significance. As a staff, we appeared on the alternative: Starfield is popping out, Forza Motorsport’s following it, now we have a number of companions that needed to have a presence, and we stated, ‘Let’s exit, [have] 50,000 sq. ft for our sales space.’ Make a press release: that Europe’s vital; gaming is clearly vital; and that we’re investing and now we have so much to indicate. I’m glad I obtained to return this yr. And the response to this point has been improbable.” 

This additionally seems like an inflection level – after reaffirming a dedication to releasing a first-party sport each quarter simply two months in the past, we’re making that promise a actuality: 

“As we glance ahead in 2023 and to 2024, now we have a number of confidence – and now we have a number of video games coming. So not solely Starfield and Forza Motorsport, that are clearly the 2 this fall, however I’ve to shout out that I like the drop of Age of Empires IV on console that we did at Opening Evening Stay – that’s a sport I’m gonna play a ton of. However , Ara: Historical past Untold is within the sales space. Towerborne is within the sales space. We’ve obtained video games like Hellblade II and Avowed coming.” 

The Age of Empires IV second is Xbox’s third shock launch of the yr, after Hello-Fi Rush and the improved Quake II, each introduced at different occasions. I ask if that’s a case of wanting to avoid wasting surprises for exhibits exterior of our Summer time Xbox Video games Showcase – however the reply is extra easy: 

“So we really want a number of beats now, as a result of not each sport can have a forty five minute Starfield Direct as a part of our Showcase. However we have to have time to truly give the creators the time to inform their story, and what they’re capturing for. For a number of moments across the yr – from Directs to the Showcase to right here at Gamescom – it’s going to be vital that we make use of these.” 

Earlier than we end our chat, Phil is especially eager to level out a private favourite on the Xbox sales space this yr. Having been made amid the context of the battle in Ukraine, STALKER 2 is playable at gamescom – a triumph in itself:  

“We’re at an enormous gaming present, I like to speak about video video games, and then you definitely go discuss to that staff when it comes to what they’ve been by way of, and it makes the dialogue about video video games appear virtually irrelevant,” says Spencer. “By way of the life expertise, what they’ve needed to dwell by way of in Ukraine. So to spend a bit little bit of time with the staff – hear the place they’re at – are folks secure? And never everyone is, or has been. And but they’re right here displaying their sport with pleasure.  

“That type of transcends what video video games are about – it’s superior that we’re right here as a part of it. I need STALKER 2 to return out, I need it to be nice, however greater than any of that I need that staff to be secure. And I feel constructing their sport has created a rallying level for them, amongst different issues […] With a number of horrible stuff occurring round them, they’ve had this factor – it may have been a online game, it may have been something – however they’ve had this online game to type of give them a middle. We’ve tried to be a useful a part of their course of, nevertheless it’s all been about them, and that conviction that they’ve. Having a STALKER 2 part within the sales space, having it playable, having a few of the staff right here – that’s fairly particular.” 

The strains to play STALKER 2 yesterday are testomony to that reality. However the pleasure of getting such a stacked line-up is that there’s one thing for everybody to attempt. Elsewhere on the sales space, I’d level out the likes of the primary ever playable construct of action-RPG Towerborne – learn our full preview on Xbox Wire – and the detailed overview to Ara: Historical past Untold, a brand new tackle grand technique from many builders who labored on the Civilization sequence. And ensure to keep watch over Don’t Nod’s Jusant, which blew me away with its complicated, attractive climbing mechanics. 

Gamescom continues in the present day – however in case you’ve not been on the present, you don’t need to miss out. Try all the pieces now we have throughout our three-day stream occasion.