Xbox CEO Phil Spencer Wants More Traditional Games Alongside Game Pass Titles: “I didn’t want to see every game turn into some big live service.”

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Xbox CEO Phil Spencer Wants More Traditional Games Alongside Game Pass Titles: "I didn’t want to see every game turn into some big live service."
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Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, isn’t on board with turning every game into a never-ending live service. Despite leading a company with big live service games like Diablo 4 and Call of Duty, Spencer made it clear that not all games should follow this trend.

In a recent interview with Xbox Era (see below), he explained that many of Xbox’s upcoming titles are single-player games with a clear start and finish. He pointed to games like Ninja Gaiden 4, Doom: The Dark Ages, and South of Midnight, all of which are expected to offer complete stories without the pressure to keep adding updates for years.

Spencer recognizes that some developers feel pushed to adopt the live service model because it can bring in ongoing revenue. However, he believes that not every game is meant to be a service. He pointed out that games can be great without needing constant updates or endless expansions.

The shift towards single-player games at Xbox is largely supported by Game Pass, the company’s subscription service. Spencer mentioned that Game Pass allows people to try new games without the need for an upfront $60 purchase. For example, players might try a game like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and stay subscribed for months as other titles like Avowed arrive.

While Spencer praises the work of smaller studios like Double Fine and Compulsion Games, it’s worth noting that Microsoft has shut down other studios in the past, like Tango Gameworks (makers of Hi-Fi Rush), without giving clear reasons. On the bright side, Tango found new life under PUBG’s publisher.

Looking ahead, South of Midnight, an upcoming third-person game, is expected to be a quick 10-12 hour experience—something many of us can appreciate given the heavy schedule of new releases coming in 2025. Likewise, Doom: The Dark Ages will ditch its usual online modes for a massive single-player world instead.

Phil Spencer’s approach shows that Xbox wants to support a variety of games, whether they’re long-lasting services or tightly-crafted single-player experiences.

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Mark is the kind of person who gets way too excited about new software updates and can’t resist taking apart gadgets—just to see if they can put them back together. With years of experience in tech journalism and a love for all things digital, Mark writes about the stories behind the screens, from game-changing innovations to the everyday tech that keeps life running smoothly. Outside of work, they’re the go-to “tech support” for friends and family, whether it’s fixing a printer that won’t cooperate or explaining why Grandma’s laptop keeps showing pop-ups. When Mark isn’t glued to their screen, they’re probably building their dream PC, rewatching sci-fi movies for the hundredth time, or testing a gadget that promises to “change everything.” Spoiler: they’ll let you know if it actually does.