Xbox Boss Addresses His '11/10' Starfield Comment, Admits He 'Didn't Like' Part Of It

It's strange how many people are quick to jump on Phil's words and twist them. I think what scares the extreme fan boys is that he's a gamer, and he's also the reason Xbox is doing so well. There have been faults and flaws but from the point he began to the point he's at now, he's done hell of a job. Xbox was going to be killed, this man not only saved it, he got the big wigs on board. That scares those who want Xbox to fail. Look at Starfield, that's because Phil aquired Bethesda, and now the extreme fan boys are seeing that. Personally really like him, even if it's sometimes just PR, nothing wrong with that. He's got Xbox off it's knees, now watch what it can do

A lot of what he said was taken purposefully out of context and twisted to make Xbox look bad both by people who want Xbox games to stop releasing on PC and PlayStation console warriors. It's a shame because it was such a good interview.

Treating quotes of corporate executives when they do stupid podcasts like they are the bible is pretty dumb.

@themightyant I agree with everything Phil said in that video, you could tell he was upset a bit down, he admitted it was a tough week etc.

Phil is transparent and for a CEO or Manager of the Xbox wing it's refreshing to see him turn up and take it on the chin.

I've always loved Phil for interviews, public speaking and actually being a gamer.

@Aeula it really was a great interview, wasn't it? People give Phil a lot of sh*t but the guy clearly cares about what he's doing, what he's saying and how well Xbox is performing and being perceived by the fanbase. Compare Phil's demeanor and comments after Redfall to those of Strauss Zelnick after the GTA Definitive Collection came out and it's night and day.

@themightyant Nintendo take ages to release games, and I've not been impressed with the value. Game Pass just has so much value so I rarely buy games on the Switch Oled. Mario Kart is great fun but I don't really have any other major games, as it's just a lof of money per game! Frustrating indeed.

@Ep_13 Nintendo does take ages to release a game, but at the same time they release their games at a steady and consistent pace and, the vast majority of the time, the games are polished to within an inch of their life and - to quote Todd Howard - they just work.

@Markatron84 True, but there games aren't doing much at times, Zelda and Mario is the beautiful exception of course.

I get emails from Nintendo Sales monthly, it's indie games and their big games all games, all seem over priced, I'm like why is this Indie game 12 quid, 7 quid on Switch when it's on game pass.

I just find the eco system and pricing a bit frustrating. I got MKX digital cheap the other day on the Xbox Store, wanted it digital as I have it on disc somewhere. The price was amazing as the game is old and the price dropped respectively, Nintendo don't do this for many games at all, especially their first party. Just find it draining!

The entry level to be a Nintendo gamer now a days for users and families is bleddy high, plus you have to get a pro controller as the Joycons aren't great and do break.

Nintendo are amazing, but they are still Nintendo and still do what they want, they've got away with it with the Switch, as it's sold gang busters and fine, but I didn't want a hybrid, I want a proper console, this is me being subjective of course!

Where is my Gamecube 2!!??

I like Phil because he seems easy going and at least he is giving interviews (unlike Jim lol).

Phil is the bloke who sold me on getting an Xbox with the Bethesda deal

This seriously needed clarification?

Nobody was confused by the original statement. Console warriors just intentionally twisted it to fit their agenda.

@themightyant this is the only reason i do prefer PS5 over Series X, the games. Playstation exclusives are often masterpieces, The Last of Us Parts 1 an 2 bein my absolute fav games. I’d love it if i absolutely couldn’t choose between them. I’m really hopin Starfield is as good as it sounds, if they pull off what they’ve told us it will be right up there with Playstation exclusives.

The problem is that people took that comment out of Context and in isolation, its a lot more open to interpretation and/or misrepresentation.

It was clear in context that what Phil was saying is that even if Starfield is 'the 'best game ever made', its not suddenly going to see a massive swing in terms of 'closing' the Sales Gap to Sony or see Sony's user base 'drop' significantly as those Gamers switch to Xbox. The gap is not going to shrink and Xbox catches up to PS5 in sales. A month later, Spider-Man 2 releases...

This is the same interview where he said losing the XB1 gen was the worst one as people had built up significant 'digital' Libraries. Sony gamers aren't going to 'give up' 10yrs of games they have built up on Sony just to play a Single 11/10 game. All they can do is make Great Games and hope people will 'find a way' to their ecosystem.

Hence you have 'low cost' options like Cloud or Series S - as well as options like Steam (& Steam Deck), Windows Handhelds (like RoG Ally) as well as Series X and Gaming Laptops/desktops too.

For those gamers that want to play Spider-Man 2 AND Starfield on 'Premium' Consoles, then you need both Consoles. I couldn't be without a Playstation and miss out on their Games - although I do have a Series X so I can also play Xbox games, I also have a 3080ti Laptop and a RoG Ally (with a 4090 dock on pre-order) so I don't miss out on ANY game I want to play.

I know its not cheap to own both, but for those on a 'tighter' budget, you can play on Cloud or even a Series S if PS5 is your Main Platform and never 'buy' games on Xbox, just Sub to Game Pass to play and buy games for PS5...

11/10 and 30FPS Lock are mutually exclusive, you little (insert self-forever-sleep inducing expletive here).

@themightyant I agree, however, Sony rallying back and MS Xbox rallying back are far different things. PS was in a privileged position even then. They released a console that wasn't well suited for games, a year late, and at a $600 price point. I bought one at launch, because that is what you did back then.

Consoles were taking bigger leaps (observably) in tech & performance. PS2 disappointed me, and thank God, here comes Xbox. The 360 was great, but you start to wonder what else is possible. I had a gadgetry itch to scratch.

As for Nintendo...I don't really get it. I started with the Sega Master System, then the NES. My last Nintendo was the SNES. They always had the 3rd party advantage, like Sony does now. Had them by the balls, really. I just don't feel the Mario & Zelda love.

@theduckofdeath What about the PS2 disappointed you? Only curious, it's subjective.

It was a huge leap from PS1 to 2. And like the PS1 there was a huge variety of games of every genre.

I did love that the OG Xbox was beefier for games like Morrowind to be playable on it. And damn did PGRacing look amazing.

@themightyant he was understood I feel like. Many people just disagree. Many actually believe putting out fantastic games will in fact make it possible for Xbox to becone the number one brand. I think many disagree with Phil, not misunderstand him.

It didn’t help people took what he said and spun it on purpose…

I adore Phil talking so much. Sometimes too much. Blab away more. I miss Shawn and Reggie speaking also. Being able to relate to a corporate honcho who is also a geek is very gratifying.

I can see the game sitting on about 82 on metacritic....which is obviously good but not the 90s we want

@Telin PS2 was hyped through the roof, and I bought into it. Of course, I am partly to blame for that. However, there were tons "bullshot" gameplay videos (e.g., Tekken Tag Tournament) and Sony hyperbolic jargon, including the names for the CPU and GPU. These things pretty much had backstories.

This was the first time the people were really going through this with video games. Sure, some people know better now. At the time, it was easier to get suckered by that spiel. There was a lot of time for the marketing to kick in, too. I was a senior in college when those phony sizzle videos, "Emotion Engine", and "Graphic Synthesizer" shenanigans started. By the time PS2 released, I was in the second year of my career and at my second company.

I was able to get the PS2 at launch. Tekken TT was nothing like what was showed. Madden didn't quite live up to what was shown earlier. NBA Live wasn't good and series never recovered. Time Splitters was rough and ugly, but fun.

The first year or so was just barren of games. I bought an F1 game out of desperation. Red Faction was the first decent game in a long time, and I heard Summoner was OK.

The Bouncer came out after a long delay, and it was terrible. So hyped up and a bare bones dud. GTA3 is what saved the PS2, and luckily, they had Kojima's support. I skipped the Dreamcast to wait for PS2, and that was another sore point.

I think Xbox would do better if they were to make games from other genres and not just shooting games. Coz that's what I mostly see from Xbox is shooting games and less of other genres.

I will say this though. A couple of my friends who are both die hard ps boys are both planning to buy a series x because of how strong the lineup is moving forward, starting with Starfield.
Personally Im very happy having all three consoles and rotating on them depending on what games Im interested in.

@themightyant That's true. But all I know is my friends been talking smack about xbox and switch for years but they've finally realized all consoles have something great to offer which is how it should be. Never understood people who love gaming but hates a console. Doesn't make any sense.

@themightyant yeah i get that but it’s def wat Xbox need. PS5 an Series X are pretty similar capable machines, the only reason Playstation outsells Xbox is the exclusive games. If in 2 years Xbox has had 10+ exclusives that are all 10/10, GOTY contenders that would def bridge the gap somewhat.

@themightyant i thought the Playstation showcase was ok. It wasn’t as good as Xbox imo but they did show a few great lookin games. Yes the fact they only showed one exclusive, 2 if ya count FF16, was disappointing but we know for cert they have some quality games in the pipeline. For some reason Sony decided not to show them, maybe they’re saving them for a future show, maybe the games aren’t at a stage where they can really show gameplay, i dunno. Both systems have some quality looking games coming tho. I’m really hoping Starfield lives up to the hype. It sounds mind blowing!! It’s a similar concept to the classic 80’s game Elite which i played on the ZX Spectrum. Flying ya ship to hundreds of planets, some friendly, some not, mining recourses, buying an selling goods, upgrading ya ship, fighting. That was great, Starfield is Elite x 1000000!!!

Well, when Phil made that statement nobody expected the PS Showcase would be so mediocre and low on first party content. Nobody cares who is the first in the console wars but of course we need Xbox to sell as many consoles as possible so that it is sustainable and we don't have another Dreamcast situation. We can already see the tides are turning after the Xbox Showcase. They just have to deliver.

Hit reverse hit reverse.

I was only meant to say that behind closed doors.

I find it hard to believe from the words he actually said anyone misconstrued his words at all. He was very clear.

@themightyant I agree with just about everything you said. My point was just that many people I think do NOT agree with what you and Phil said. So I just thought it was less misunderstanding and more just disagreement. But yea fair play to you and detailed response. We are basically on the same page regardless. I think Starfield will be amazing by the way l.

@NEStalgia spot on, all he ever said was that one excellent game isn't going to magically make the Xbox outsell the Playstation and everyone moves to the Xbox platform.

Just the many idiots online purposely chose to use his comments in another way for their own fanboy nonsense

@CutchuSlow did you miss the Xbox Showcase, it was Fable, Starfield, Forza, south of Midnight, Flight Simulator, HellBlade 2 and many many others. There was no Fortnite’s or Halos at the showcase. I agree they used to be a tad heavy on shooters. But they now have a good variety of games. Maybe even the best variety pound for pound. PS4 was action/Adventure loaded. Even they are now making more variety for PS5, which is good.

@Green-Bandit doesn't Starfield count as a shooting game? I did watch the showcase. I just meant if they did more. I said there were less. The games you mentioned are games that I have no interest in. Except fable, but I'm not sure yet if that's a game for me. I mainly like JRPG type of games or similar. And Xbox doesn't do that. So that's why I said what I said, as I meant that if they could make a variety of games where every gamer would like at least one game.

@CutchuSlow that makes sense, i was like there wasn’t much shooting games there at the showcase. You can shoot enemies in SF but you can do stealth and other ways of taking out enemies also which i thought was really cool. Any player can choose their style of attack. JRPG’s are far more a Sony thing, as they tend to either lock those games down or the publisher only brings the games there, which makes sense. Xbox is tying with a Persona series. But are missing FF16, which kind of stinks. On the other hand, Xbox has become home to the WRPG market. But i do think from a variety standpoint at the moment Xbox has a little more than PS, but PS5 is surely to have more variety than PS4 and i am excited for that. 😊

@Stocksy His words were certainly misconstrued. Both by disingenuous people and those lacking listening & reading comprehension skills.

@theduckofdeath yes he is blameless and once again it’s everyone else. Poor Xbox. They are relentlessly picked on aren’t they.

It’s disgusting.

The fact so many on here can’t take any criticism of Xbox or him is sad.

I love my Xbox. It’s a great machine. But their PR and “Xbox defence league” is such a turn off.

Again my integrity on this thread has been questioned by others and I’ve been told to sell my Xbox

It’s very sad that by questioning the dubious Xbox studios output and to be against the Activision take over deal that I’m somehow not worthy to post here.

Sad reflection of other fragile state of mind.

When you are the main person for a large company you have to watch what you say. I dont think his words were misconstrued I think others have twisted them to sound better.

At the end of this year I think he could probably say it all again and it sound better, as I believe at that point Xbox will have whacked out 2 9/10 out of 10 games in starfield and Forza. Then you can say, even 10 out of ten games won’t sell consoles if you believe it.

I don’t believe it, I think starfield and Forza will be awesome and sell units. If you are putting games out like that 4 times a year….. the gap closes for real.

So what he said however you spin it or whatever you think he means is wrong.

It’s been a long gap since Forza H5 which was a cracking game too.

Nowt wrong with demanding more, especially when you pay subscription.

I suspect on reading this I will discover you have reading comprehension skills as many on here just want to be offended by anyone that thinks Xbox can and should do a little better with their output.

@Zoidpilot4 shake my head. It’s sad that consoles have become something akin to a sports team.

I don’t try and bait anyone. I speak how I feel. Nothing I say is outrageous or offensive.

I am not a “defend Xbox” at all costs. I’m a “expect better from all three”

ninetendo, Sony and Xbox all do things that should drive any gamer crackers at times. It’s been extremely frowned upon to question anything Xbox and that’s both sad and ridiculous.

I don’t need or seek to change anyone’s mind. There are some great posters here who are balanced and sensible even if I don’t agree with them. There are also plenty of “Xbox only” crew that are mentally too invested.

I love my Xbox why would I sell it? And which Xbox? I own 6 different units from the different generations, and about 600 hundred physical games.

I could bore you for hours with my love of the OG Xbox and how strong “only on Xbox” games were. What a beast of a machine.

I’ve been vocally against both the Bethesda and Activision deals because I genuinely think even for Xbox only gamers it’s bad news. It will result in less games overal as three companies worth of games and IPs have to fit it one GPU calendar schedule - nothing in my argument is remotely controversial and it’s a fact.

Before the take overs you could have Halo, Doom and Call of duty all release in the same month. You’d be lucky to get 2 in a year now.

Also I’d rather pay for day one exclusives and get less elements of GaaS than currently we are seeing.

I don’t play online. I play solo.

Instead of being on the defence or seeing me as baiting - try actually reading my comments and you’ll find they aren’t negative. They are a valid point of view backed up with logic.

Starfield is not a popular game Genre, it cant be 10/10.
Its a looter shooter exploration survival game..... millions of gamers did not like this style...

@kihaennem "Looter shooter exploration survival"

It's a CRPG/WRPG. Like every game Bethesda Game Studios has made since DOS.

People keep confusing it with NMS, which is a survival/crafting game because it does seem to borrow a lot of systems from it and add it onto the RPG core, but at the end of the day SF and NMS are very different games in different genres with NMS really having more in common with Minecraft than Elderscrolls.

@NEStalgia all is CRPG

I'll reserve my judgment till it's released I don't trust a word he says now especially with what happened with redfall I lt will be great I imagine but the no 60 fps is a ridiculous decision we will see in September I don't trust Jim Ryan neither

@Stocksy You're going to extremes, and it is not a matter of defense. Spencer doesn't need defense. It is a matter of being reasonable. Many people online are unreasonable and obtuse, if not altogether disingenuous and hyperbolic — it is tiresome.