Xbox's Enthusiasm Grows for Activision-Blizzard's Rich Gaming Treasury

Xbox head Phil Spencer recently discussed the potential for reviving games from Activision-Blizzard's past now that Microsoft owns the company. He emphasized the complexity of the process and the need for careful consideration. "When we look at the back catalog from Activision and Blizzard, we get really excited about the things we can do," Spencer said. "It's still early days, so we need to be in discussions with the teams that are already fully staffed and working on projects." Spencer also explained how the team may balance resurrecting old games with creating new experiences, even mentioning the possibility of reviving Banjo-Kazooie.

Spencer told Windows Central that he believes in involving the original creators and culture in the development process of new projects, without taking over franchises from teams. He mentioned that the lessons learned from past experiences are important and expressed interest in revisiting stories and characters from previous franchises when the right team and opportunity arise. While no concrete announcements have been made, Spencer has hinted at considering such projects before.

Spencer also discussed the benefits of Game Pass, highlighting how it empowers Xbox Game Studios teams to pursue their unique creative visions, resulting in a diverse range of games in terms of size and genre. He cited examples such as Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, and the long-term success of Grounded, all of which have resonated with subscribers and platform users.

He emphasized that Game Pass is a platform that accommodates games of all sizes, from major titles to hidden indie gems that players may have overlooked. Spencer urged individual publishers to consider how they can attract a wider audience to their games.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the potential for Xbox to revive games from Activision-Blizzard's past. I grew up playing games like Banjo-Kazooie and would love to see them return with updated graphics and gameplay. I think it's great that Xbox is committed to involving the original creators and culture in the development process, as this will help to ensure that the games stay true to their roots.

I also appreciate that Xbox is using Game Pass to offer players a diverse range of gaming experiences. I'm a big fan of indie games, and I'm glad that Game Pass makes it easy for me to find and play them. I think it's great that Xbox is committed to supporting smaller developers, as this helps to ensure that the gaming industry remains diverse and innovative.