Microsoft seems to be learning a lot from the failings of the Xbox One. While the console has housed many multiplayer options, single-player ventures have been lacking. But Phil Spencer has good news for us all. There will be more single-player games on the Xbox in the future. The Executive VP of Gaming at Microsoft confirmed via Twitter when asked by a curious player.
Yes, I can confirm. With the additions to XGS we have a lot of teams that have built strong SP focused games and we want that to continue.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) August 7, 2019
Xbox Game Studios has been buying up smaller studios whenever they get the chance, it seems. At their huge E3 conference this year, it was revealed that Double Fine would be joining XGS. The studio behind Psychonauts has been working on the long-awaited sequel for quite some time. And hopefully, the resources behind Xbox will only help improve the title. Double Fine joined studios like Ninja Theory (Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice), Obsidian Entertainment (The Outer Worlds), Undead Labs (State of Decay), and others that were acquired last year.
Many of Microsoft’s newly acquired studios have specialized in single-player campaigns. And there are still several multi-platform games to look forward to. Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is one of the biggest games still coming this year. It seems like that aspect of Xbox’s future is getting brighter every day.
Sure, the Xbox brand has a bit of catching up to do. Over the past few years, Sony has maintained a fine balance between multiplayer offerings and exclusive single-player juggernauts. God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Marvel’s Spider-Man all sold and reviewed extremely well. And Nintendo has proven they can essentially do whatever they want with the Switch and it will make money.
Spencer’s confirmation and these acquisitions are signs of Microsoft’s plan to course correct. With the next generation of consoles right around the corner, it may be a bit too late for the Xbox One. But it’s definitely not too late for Xbox.
