Xbox Chief: Major Game Publishers Too Reliant on Old Franchises, Slow to Embrace New Models Like Subscriptions

Phil Spencer argues in a leaked email that major AAA game publishers rely too much on old franchises and are slow to adapt to new distribution models like subscriptions.

He says publishers use production scale for big franchises to compensate for lack of innovation. This stifles new IP.

Spencer claims publishers like EA and Ubisoft are half-hearted in building subscription services compared to Xbox Game Pass.

He says subscriptions will disrupt AAA publishers like Netflix did to Hollywood studios.

Spencer wants to partner with publishers like Take-Two to help them transition to subscriptions via Xbox Game Pass.