Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, is widely recognized as a gaming executive who actively plays games himself. His impressive hours in games like Vampire Survivors and sightings in games such as Fallout 76 are well known, showcasing his hands-on involvement in the gaming world.
Recently, he further demonstrated his passion by announcing he has been testing unreleased versions of two major Xbox exclusives, Fable and Everwild. This announcement not only surprised fans but also highlighted his commitment to personally experiencing the games Xbox is developing.
On a recent tour of Xbox’s UK-based studios, Spencer visited Playground Games and Rare, two pivotal studios under the Xbox banner. Playground Games is celebrated for the Forza Horizon series and is now developing the much-anticipated Fable reboot.
Rare, on the other hand, has a rich legacy with titles like Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark, and Sea of Thieves, and they’re currently working on the mysterious Everwild. Spencer’s visits signal the importance Xbox places on these projects, both as flagship titles and as representations of unique, diverse experiences for Xbox players.
At Rare, Spencer shared that he spent the day meeting developers and playing Everwild, which has been in the works for five years. Although Everwild was teased with a visually stunning trailer in 2020, much about the game remains unclear, including its genre and gameplay style.
The trailer hinted at themes of cooperative play and mystical creatures, yet specifics remain sparse, partly due to an alleged mid-development reboot. Spencer’s visit confirms the project is progressing and gives fans renewed hope for the future of this ambitious title from Rare.
Spencer’s visit to Playground Games was met with excitement as well, with the team expressing their enjoyment in showing him their progress on Fable. Known for their skill in creating breathtaking open worlds and seasonal changes in Forza Horizon, Playground Games is well-suited for a fairytale-inspired RPG like Fable, set to release next year.
The hands-on experience with Fable suggests the game’s development is progressing smoothly, and fans are speculating on whether iconic Fable elements, like its humorous chicken-chasing mechanics, might make a comeback.
Through his personal involvement with Xbox’s upcoming games, Spencer continues to connect with both development teams and the gaming community. By trying out in-progress versions of Everwild and Fable, he exemplifies an engaged, hands-on leadership style that aligns with Xbox’s goals of fostering exclusive, high-quality titles.
Spencer’s transparency in sharing these updates builds excitement among fans and reinforces the trust players have in Xbox’s future lineup, bridging the gap between the company and its loyal audience.
