Licensed video games will be an effective way to construct curiosity with a well-known property, however they can be fraught as varied stakeholders weigh in on its artistic route. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer is conscious of those challenges, and they’re one purpose he is “not the greatest fan” of committing sources to licensed video games.
Talking with the Game File newsletter, Spencer talked about a few of the “complexities” that include making licensed video games, particularly when it comes to placing them on subscription or streaming companies.
“We’ve seen it in racing video games which have to get delisted, since you lose sure licenses,” Spencer mentioned. “So I am at all times very cautious, if we’re going to tackle a license, that we’re doing it for artistic causes, [that] the workforce has a objective round what they need to do.”
Whereas Spencer did not identify 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 due to expiring licenses.
When it comes to 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 workforce that basically loves Indiana Jones and that world. The story is, to me, one among the strongest elements of that recreation—the means 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. However, for us, given the [intellectual property] that we’ve got that we personal. I am an enormous fan of us utilizing the IP that we have not even revisited.”
As for whether or not or not the Indiana Jones license would possibly ultimately expire, Spencer mentioned, “I really feel nice about our partnership with Lucas and Disney, all up, on that. They have been good companions. We’re clearly doing Blade with Arkane Lyon with them. I used to be simply on the market visiting with that workforce.”
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is out December 9 for Xbox and PC, with the PS5 launch set for spring 2025. You may learn our full hands-on preview proper right here.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s Information Director in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Ship her a DM at @the_katbot.