Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox, announces original Xbox Backward Compatibility at the Xbox E3 2017 Briefing on Sunday, June 11, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Image courtesy of Xbox)
Along with Activision, Sony failed to make an appearance at gaming’s biggest convention of the year, E3. Xbox’s undoubtedly biggest competitor Sony wasn’t there and Xbox boss Phil Spencer noted their absence, but not the way you think he might’ve capitalized while his fiercest competitor didn’t show.
“I wish Sony was here,” Spencer said, according to Gamespot. “E3 is not as good when they’re not here,”
Friendly competition is always good for the market and it’s believed Spencer is acknowledging that. This may have been a humbling tactic from the Xbox boss, but at the same time, it can be believed he is just an advocate for the industry of gaming as a whole.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer on the future of gaming: “The business isn’t how many consoles you sell” https://t.co/Lidgz5MLRW pic.twitter.com/5vkNvoB7km
— The Verge (@verge) June 11, 2019
“In the last 20 years, we’ve tripled the number of gamers on the planet. I think that’s such a huge opportunity for us, as an industry,” Spencer said, according to IGN. “For me, I try to look at things that create artificial boundaries to people enjoying video games.”
Sony explained that they wanted to try something new this year against their competitors, saying that they want to “innovate, think differently, and experiment with new ways to delight gamers,” according to Gamespot.
While there wasn’t a specific PlayStation or Sony conference, their presence was still looming. The PS4 exclusives Death Stranding and The Last of Us 2 had extended trailers ahead of its release. Ghost of Tsushima had an exciting preview as well. Before the start of E3 as well, Sony stole the limelight away by making vague announcements about its current development of their next-generation console, the PS5.
Spencer of Xbox voiced a bit of concern regarding the industry, after the World Health Organization declared gaming as a disease. While that may slow down profits or marketing strategies, gaming isn’t going anywhere. Esports is the fastest growing community in the world right now, with few big name celebrities dipping their toes into the pool, like rapper Drake making investments into it, as well as Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert.
Spencer said E3 is a time for prominence. That he is advocating that he wants the gaming world to continue to build upon itself, despite the rivalries and competition in the market.
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