Xbox boss Phil Spencer comments on licensed games

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Key recommendations

  • Xbox boss Phil Spencer is wary of licensed games due to licensing issues and prioritizes creative motives.
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an exception to Spencer's view, as it is being developed by a passionate team and is not tied to any particular film.
  • Spencer believes in the Indiana Jones franchise and emphasizes the importance of strong relationships.



Xbox boss Phil Spencer explained why he fears producing licensed video games and outlined why Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an exception to this rule. Bethesda is coming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will launch on December 9, launching on Xbox consoles and PC first, with a PlayStation 5 port coming later in 2025. The Great Circle is the first Indiana Jones licensed game from 2011 Indiana Jones Adventure World.

Licensed video games are a complicated beast. Historically, video games based on movies were not very desirable, as they were mostly of poor quality and only meant to tie in with the latest thing to hit theaters. The practice changed in the mid-to-late 2000s as developers and publishers devoted their resources to other ways of producing licensed video games, usually making their own IP-based stuff. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one such example, as it is not a game based on a specific film in the franchise, but draws inspiration from its history to create something new. Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently discussed the challenges of creating licensed games.


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Speaking with Game File (courtesy of IGN), Spencer discussed the complex nature of licensed games and how to get them onto streaming and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. The main reason why Spencer is so hesitant about licensed games is especially racing games that are being removed from the list due to the loss of the company's licenses. The most immediate and relevant example of Spencer's statement is how the Xbox is owned Forza Horizon 4 will be removed on December 15, even though the game saw a lot of success after its initial release in 2018. “We've seen it in racing games that have to be removed, because you lose certain licenses,” Spencer said. “So I'm always very careful, if we're going to take a license, that we're doing it for creative reasons, [that] the team has a goal around what they want to do.”



Licensed games require passionate teams, says Phil Spencer

The other reason Spencer is so hesitant about licensed games is that they require a creative team passionate about licensing. Indiana Jones and the Great Circlewhich is being developed by MachineGames under the supervision of Lucasfilm Games, is an example of what Spencer is looking for. Spencer says the developers at MachineGames “love” the world Indiana Jonespraising his story The Great Circle saying it's one of its strongest parts, especially with how the game puts the player in the shoes of Indiana Jones through its first-person perspective.

I've seen it in racing games that need to be removed, because you lose certain licenses. So I'm always very careful, if we're going to take a license, that we're doing it for creative reasons, [that] the team has a goal around what they want to do.


When asked if Spencer was concerned if the license for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would eventually expire, Spencer says it feels “really good.” Xboxhis partnership with Lucasfilm and Disney. To corroborate the strong relationship between the companies, he mentions how Arkane is still developing Marvel's Blade and that he recently visited the development team.

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