Microsoft’s Phil Spencer thinks real-time strategy games will see a resurgence on this generation of consoles

Start / News / Microsoft’s Phil Spencer thinks real-time strategy games will see a resurgence on this generation of consoles

May 18, 2014

Head of Xbox Phil Spencer answered questions from fans on his Twitter last night and revealed some interesting clues as to what Microsoft is preparing for this year’s E3 and beyond.

One fan asked him “which now-marginalized genres do you think might see a resurgence this gen?” To which Spencer responded “RTS on console.” This is particularly interesting since we recently learned via a job listing on Microsoft’s careers page that Microsoft Studios is looking for someone "to help build and lead the team for a new AAA title within an established and well-loved strategy game franchise."

As we noted when we first learned the news, Age of Empires and Halo Wars are two RTS franchises that fit that description well. Spencer also told IGN earlier this year that he thought the original Halo Wars, which was exclusive to Xbox 360, was fun and expressed interest in seeing a new one. He also suggested it was possible that such a game could be developed internally due to there not being many "great RTS developers out there anymore."

Some other interesting things Spencer said:

He’s interested in bringing back some of FASA’s IP, which includes games like MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Shadowrun. Microsoft shuttered FASA in 2007.
His favorite Halo game is Halo 2.
Microsoft is making progress on an Xbox One controller for PC.
Regarding PC-related announcements at E3, he said that he’s “very focused on PC right now,” but that we’ll probably not hear anything until after E3.
Spencer said we can also expect a few more announcements prior to E3. He explained that this is so he’ll have time to focus on other things during the show.
Regarding “core” gamers’ expectations about Microsoft’s E3 press conference, Spencer said: “I know we'll never please everyone. Having some new partners on stage, some old friends and knowing XBOX gamers are watching is fun.”
And also: “The lineup at E3 looks good. A couple of things we are still trying to land but it's coming together.”