Xbox Needs to Focus on RPGs, Says Phil Spencer

Both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are incredible gaming experiences but it’s important to realise that both offer very different experiences for different types of gamers. While Sony is known for their single-player focus and JRPGs, Xbox has always been more geared towards the shooter genre. That’s not to say that Xbox doesn’t offer some phenomenal games as well, but their biggest claim to fame lies within the shooting genre. Halo, Gears of War, even Mass Effect was an Xbox exclusive to begin with, but Spencer is ready to give players want they want and broaden those horizons a bit. 

Coming off of X019, Spencer sat down with Xbox UK to talk about the glory days of when Xbox offered a solid RPG line-up and how he wants to get back to that. With studio acquisitions including RPG gods Obsidian, it looks like that promise has some backing to it going forward before the next generation arrives. 

“Obviously first-person and third-person shooters have been strong, but it’s nice with Outer Worlds coming out, Wasteland… I think RPG is an area that we purposefully focused on and wanted to do more,” mentioned Spencer in the interview regarding future goals for Team Green. 

He added, “But it’s also, as we’re watching Xbox Game Pass grow and grow, we’re seeing more genres enter, and whether it’s genres that used to be popular and coming back or creators trying new things because they have an audience that’s always there and they can think how to deliver stories to those people… But I do think RPG is an area that we should focus and I think X0 will be fun around that news as well.”

The 360 seemed to be where the Xbox brand fell off and the Xbox One generation is where the company found itself once more. It’s a slow road rebuilding that community, but if anyone can do it it’s Spencer. 

If you could craft your ultimate Xbox One game, what would it be? Would it be an RPGs, or do you like that this brand is so affiliated within the shooter genre? Sound off with your thoughts, wants, and dreams over on Twitter @PrimaGames!