Microsoft's new boss Phil Spencer has made quite the rep for himself already, as a games-first captain on the Xbox ship.
Sony's Shuhei Yoshida Praised Phil Spencer and Blew the Internet Up a Few Weeks Ago
Last night Spencer took to Twitter to answer some pressing fan questions, and the results just hammered home the fact that Microsoft will be bringing games, games and more games to next month's E3.
First off, Spencer apologized for his absence from Twitter recently, as apparently he's been in China for a little while getting ready for the Xbox One China release:
@Steverulez And was in China, just got back. I'm back on now, sorry for silence.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
Microsoft's Phil Spencer Plays PS4! Next, Spencer answered one fan's questions about the possibility of timed game trials on Xbox One, as well as more demos. Spencer wants both, as it turns out:
@bmuny101 Timed trials that start from beginning? Sometimes start is slowest part of game, demos let teams show breadth. Probably want both. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
@bmuny101 Yea, I'd like to see both. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
Spencer tackled a number of questions about Microsoft's E3 conference, of course without divulging too many details. As he's alluded to in the past, Spencer elaborated that games will be front and center during Microsoft's E3 presentation this year, including lots of new announcements of both IPs and sequels:
@AkkaksMichael I feel like what we will show this year is stuff we are committed to, from top studios, for this year and future. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
@MrPlaystation1 Yes, we'll announce both new IP and new sequels at E3. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
@Kriss353 @MrPlaystation1 We'll announce some new studios we are working with. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
@mattwestcott I agree, that's the main focus at E3. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
@mattwestcott Good ideas. Trying to make E3 more fan focused, ideas on how to bring people who aren't in LA to feel like E3 is for them? — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
Oh, but that's not all. Spencer also said that there will be some announcements coming this month, before E3. Maybe there's just not enough room in the E3 presentation?
@Steverulez Yea, you'll get a couple of things before. May should be a good month for news. Took me a month to get plans set. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
Apparently Spencer and Microsoft had entertained the idea of using the all-new Windows Phone Cortana assistant to help narrate their presentation, but thought it would be overkill:
@mattwestcott There was an idea to use Cortana as the VOG for the show, I didn't like that. I like WP feature but don't want to overdo it. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
Oh, and don't expect a Microsoft handheld console anytime soon, unfortunately. Although Microsoft is entertaining the idea of controller support for Windows Phone and Windows tablets:
@xrCore I don't think we'll do a dedicated handheld gaming device, rather just focus on WP, tablets, maybe with controller support someday. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
Spencer also mentioned a 343 Industries game, but an IP. I'm guessing that's not Halo news then... Interesting:
@ShankinsHD @neverfear I have strict orders from @PlutonForEver that I can't talk about anything related to a 343i IP...
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
Spencer entertained the idea of using a third party studio to develop a Microsoft IP:
@pedrohasser22 We have that with KI and some other games so yes. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
There will also apparently be some Japanese games shown off at E3:
@zainetor You won't have to wait until TGS. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
There's plenty more in his Q&A, including what his favorite JRPG is on Xbox 360 (spoiler: it's Blue Dragon) and a potential Battletoads sequel, but I'll leave you with this note, in hopes that it means Banjo Threeie will come to Xbox:
@ClaireHx91 Platformers all up have done well, we haven't done a real 3D one yet but I think the audience would play. — Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 5, 2014
