For this year, 2023 is shaping to be fairly fruitful for Xbox Game Studios compared to prior periods. Kicking off in January, the firm shadow dropped Hi-Fi Rush and was met with instant praise of Tango Gameworks. Redfall also shipped in May. Additionally, this fall is expected to be a busy time with both Starfield & Forza Motorsport set to launch in September and October respectively.
For Starfield specifically, Bethesda remains in the spotlight with this being the first new IP from the developer in over two decades. Controversy, of course, has surfaced ahead of release. One report disclosed Microsoft’s intent of the Bethesda deal upon learning Starfield would be a PlayStation exclusive originally. And now a unique Xbox release, many criticisms is being tossed towards the main menu of Starfield.
Looking ahead, Starfield is only the beginning of a new lineage of first-party releases says Xbox chief marketing officer Jerret West. Speaking to gamesindustry.biz, the first-party pipeline is ready to start pumping out more consistent releases entering 2024. “This is, in my mind, the doorway, almost like a starting gun, to what I think is going to be a multi-year relay race of first-party titles,” he told.
I was sitting there watching the same [Starfield presentation] you were this morning and I was like… this is really the start of something that’s going to then lead to Forza, then in 2024 as we go to Hellblade, and we think about Towerborne which is on the show floor, we think about Avowed, and we’ve got stories we haven’t told yet as well, that are going to unfurl in 2024 and 2025.
“This very much feels like the starting gun for this relay pass that’s going to take place over the next couple of years. So as a marketer, I’m super excited about that. And then if you layer in also, Game Pass and the third party relationships that we have… Our third party support that rolls into Game Pass – but also is just on our platform – is critically important too.”
West adds: “So I think we are entering a period where this is the beginning of something that’s going to be really special over the course of the next several years.” In 2024 alone, there is a bevy of first-party & second-party title ready for Xbox Series X|S in 2024. That list includes Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Towerborne, and Avowed as well.
Previously, there has been a continued push by Xbox executives to see a steady stream of releases by Xbox. And now might finally be that time. In the past, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty expressed the effort to ship at least each quarter. You can read the full report by heading here.
What has you most interested in the future of Xbox after this recent comment?
Source: gamesindustry.biz