This year’s Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle featured a keynote presentation by Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, where he shared insights into his career in the gaming industry and highlighted five video games that had a significant impact on him. Spencer spoke about how gaming has been a part of his life since childhood and how it provided him with a sense of community and belonging. His list of influential games included Robotron 2084, One-on-One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird, Ultima Online, Gears of War, and Destiny.
Spencer’s introduction to the gaming world began in arcades in southern California, where he developed a love for games like Robotron 2084. He also shared how playing games like One-on-One with his family on the Commodore 64 helped him see video games as a social activity that could bring people together. His involvement in Dungeons & Dragons led him to Ultima Online, his first experience with massively multiplayer online games, which introduced him to a different kind of gaming community.
During his time working at Microsoft on the Xbox 360, Spencer made a crucial decision to sign Gears of War as a system exclusive for the console. Despite the high budget of the game, Spencer saw its potential and the opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the Xbox platform. This decision was pivotal for the success of the Xbox 360 and set the stage for a collaboration between Microsoft and Epic that led to the creation of three more games in the Gears of War series.
Spencer also reflected on a missed opportunity with Bungie’s Destiny, which he passed on due to a lack of connection with the combat mechanics. Similarly, he rejected an early pitch from Harmonix for a game requiring special controllers, which would go on to become the popular Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises. These decisions could have potentially changed the course of the gaming industry, but Spencer stands by his choices and the lessons learned from these experiences.
Looking forward to the future of gaming, Spencer expressed his excitement for the next generation of video games and the vast opportunities available within the industry. He emphasized the diverse roles that individuals can pursue in game development, from writing and art to programming, highlighting the artistic and collaborative nature of modern video games. Spencer’s journey through the gaming industry serves as an inspiration for aspiring game developers, showcasing the potential for growth and innovation in the evolving world of gaming.
