Microsoft’s CEO of Gaming Phil Spencer is open to having Epic Games Store, as well as other game retailers, on Xbox. Speaking to Polygon at this year’s GDC, Spencer discussed his desire to see other game retailers on the platform. He sees Xbox the same way Microsoft sees Windows, where gamers make their own decisions on where to buy games.
Spencer described the closed system’s approach is one based in a strategy where console makers would essentially sell their hardware at a loss because over time they would recoup that loss through direct sales through the official storefront.
The winds are changing, however, according to Spencer. Hardware costs for consoles aren’t coming down fast enough and gamers are increasingly choosing PC and handhelds as their platforms of choice. The prevailing strategy may no longer be viable.
The goal, he feels, is to find areas to reduce friction. According to Spencer, he believes players shouldn’t need to think about which platform or storefront they’ve purchased a game. He used Sea of Thieves as an example. Spencer believes players should only need to think about if they and their friends want to play the game. Not where to play it.
