Microsoft Game Studios president Phil Spencer has derided the “unhealthy” fanboyism that it exists in gaming during an interview with Spike TV’s Geoff Keighley at SXSW 2014.
“There seems to be this natural faction that gets created around what console you own, and then this, I would call it unhealthy dislike, for people who own the other console,” Spencer commented. “In the end, what we all want to do is to take this art form of playing games and experiencing and breaking down that wall between a linear narrative and an interactive capability, and just make a better form of entertainment.”
The executive was quick to praise Xbox fans but said there’s a lot to be gained by gaming on multiple systems, “I love the fans that we have, but I don’t think being a fan of Xbox does not mean you can’t be a fan of something else, or you have to be an anti-fan of some other brand. At least I’m not. I own a PlayStation 4, I play games on a PlayStation 4. I own a Wii U, I play games on my Wii U. I learn a ton from what happens on those other platforms.”
He continued by noting that many of the comments he sees on social media are comparisons of what Microsoft is doing to challenge Sony rather than direct praise or compliments relating to the Xbox One itself. Spencer continued that both PS4 and Xbox One have been off to a great start since launch, “A year ago, the question was whether consoles were relevant anymore, and has the industry moved beyond console gaming–is anyone going to show up to the party when these two big console manufacturers bring their products out in November? And today I think we’d all say that hasn’t been a problem. If you look at what both consoles have done, it’s been an amazing year.” More than six million PlayStation 4s have been sold since the system was released while three million Xbox One consoles had been purchased by the end of 2013.
Phil Spencer’s voice seems to be the voice of reason in a gaming world that seems to be constantly focused on console wars. Would it be wishful thinking to expect more corporate heads to act and speak like this? Of course, there are always consumer preferences, and the gaming industry is no exception. Gamers will always have their preferred platforms and and their favorite games, but isn’t the Xbox One vs. PS4 war going a little bit too far? After all, regardless of what we’ve spent our own hard-earned cash on, why should it bother us what other gamers are doing with their money? What’s your take on the console wards? Does Phil Spencer’s lash at fanboyism seem justified? Make sure to leave us your thoughts in the comment section below.