With Microsoft now owning both Activision Blizzard and Bethesda, alongside the Xbox Game Studios ensemble, the company has truly become a dominant force in the gaming industry. They’re juggling a host of projects, some of which have been in the works for quite a while without a lot of new features being revealed. Take, for example, Rare’s Everwild and State of Decay 3 from Undead Labs.
In a candid chat with Xbox Era, Phil Spencer, the head honcho at Microsoft Gaming, wasn’t too concerned about the delays. He explained that the vast resources and scale of Microsoft allow them to give their studios the breathing room they need to perfect their projects.
When asked about which upcoming first-party games really got him pumped, Spencer highlighted State of Decay 3, Everwild, and a mysterious new project from Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Productions.
Reflecting on State of Decay, Spencer expressed his fondness, particularly for the original. “State of Decay is just one of those series I’ve adored since day one,” he shared. He also praised Double Fine and mentioned a recent visit to Rare where he was pleased with how Everwild was shaping up.
Spencer didn’t shy away from acknowledging how long it has been since updates on these games have surfaced. “Yes, it’s been a while,” he conceded. “But we’ve got the luxury of time to nurture these projects, thanks to our expansive portfolio. It’s really fulfilling a long-held dream of mine and Matt [Booty’s]. We can finally give these teams the time they deserve.”
In reality, Microsoft isn’t in any rush. Their lineup for 2025 is already jam-packed with exciting titles like Obsidian’s Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2, id Software’s Doom: The Dark Ages, Compulsion Games’ South of Midnight, and Playground Games’ new take on Fable. Add to that Team Ninja and PlatinumGames teaming up for Ninja Gaiden 4, and of course, one wouldn’t be surprised to see a new Call of Duty entry.
Spencer also mentioned he’s planning a trip to check in with The Coalition, the minds behind Gears of War, to get a sneak peek at the much-anticipated Gears of War: E-Day. The series’ last installment came out back in 2019. “I’ll be paying them a visit next week,” he remarked enthusiastically. “It’s always a thrill to walk through those doors.”
