Licensed video games might be a good way to construct curiosity with a well-recognized property, however they may also be fraught as numerous stakeholders weigh in on its artistic route. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer is conscious of those challenges, they usually’re one purpose he is “not the largest fan” of committing sources to licensed video games.
Speaking with the Game File newsletter, Spencer talked about among the “complexities” that include making licensed video games, particularly in the case of placing them on subscription or streaming providers.
“We’ve seen it in racing video games that should get delisted, since you lose sure licenses,” Spencer mentioned. “So I’m all the time very cautious, if we’ll tackle a license, that we’re doing it for artistic causes, [that] the group has a purpose round what they wish to do.”
While Spencer did not title it explicitly, Ubisoft has cited “licensing constraints” as one among its causes for delisting The Crew. Xbox’s personal Forza Horizon video games have likewise been delisted on account of expiring licenses.
When it involves Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which is being developed with enter from Lucasfilm Games, Spencer say that MachineGames’ ardour for the property was purpose sufficient to tackle the license.
“I feel what you see in Indiana Jones is a group that basically loves Indiana Jones and that world. The story is, to me, one of many strongest elements of that sport—the way in which you’re feeling such as you’re Indiana Jones from a primary individual perspective,” Spencer mentioned. “So it is clear that is one thing they wished to do. But, for us, given the [intellectual property] that we’ve got that we personal. I’m an enormous fan of us utilizing the IP that we’ve not even revisited.”
As for whether or not or not the Indiana Jones license may finally expire, Spencer mentioned, “I really feel nice about our partnership with Lucas and Disney, all up, on that. They’ve been good companions. We’re clearly doing Blade with Arkane Lyon with them. I used to be simply on the market visiting with that group.”
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is out December 9 for Xbox and PC, with the PS5 launch set for spring 2025. You can learn our full hands-on preview proper right here.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
