'Absolutely not' true that Microsoft is backing away from console gaming, Xbox exec says
Xbox boss Phil Spencer: "We are more committed to our console and the future of that console than we have ever been."
Following Microsoft's announcement last month that Quantum Break, announced as an Xbox One exclusive, is also coming to PC, some fans wondered if this was signalling a wider shift away from console. That is absolutely not the case, Xbox boss Phil Spencer says in a new interview.
"The fundamental concern that people have is, 'Are we losing focus on the console?' 'Is Microsoft somehow going to back away from our console focus and have us only focus on Windows?' Absolutely not true," he said in an interview with IGN recently. "We are more committed to our console and the future of that console than we have ever been."
Asked if Microsoft expected there to be blowback around Quantum Break's PC announcement, Spencer said, "Expected is too high of a word, but I know there is a lot of passion around Xbox."
Spencer's comments on Quantum Break's PC version follow those from marketing executive Aaron Greenberg. He stressed that bringing the time-bending action game to PC doesn't mean Microsoft is backing away from console gaming.
"People should know: Xbox is a big priority and a huge commitment," he said. "Please do not let the fact that we are also launching a game on the same day on Windows 10 change your perspective on the importance of the console business [or] our commitment to innovating on console."
Greenberg went on to say that Microsoft will continue to launch new Xbox One exclusives. Bringing a game like Quantum Break to PC is instead an effort to "[grow] the gaming ecosystem," he said.
"From our CEO down at Microsoft, there's tons of commitment and enthusiasm for our [console] business [and] we're having tremendous success," Greenberg added, noting that Xbox One exclusive game sales were strong in holiday 2015 and that overall, "business is good."
In other Xbox PC gaming news, Microsoft recently released Gears of War Ultimate Edition for Windows 10, while the Forza series is making its PC debut this spring with Forza 6 Apex.
Additionally, Spencer recently acknowledged the shortcomings of Games for Windows Live and said Microsoft is "very committed" to making sure Windows 10 is a "great experience" for gamers.