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Xbox boss Phil Spencer says Microsoft will still 'take risks' following Scalebound's cancellation

Spencer hopes to strike a balance between independent projects and internal, first-party development.

January 11, 2017 2:15 PM

Following yesterday's announcement that Xbox One exclusive Scalebound had been cancelled, Xbox division boss Phil Spencer took to Twitter to talk with fans about the situation (via Dual Shockers).

"I know we have to take risks, I realize right now probably sounds hollow but I agree," he tweeted in response to a fan worried that what happened with Scalebound, developed by Platinum Games, could lead to Microsoft shying away from projects not baked in AAA molds.

In another tweet to a fan who lamented Scalebound's fate, Spencer said, "It hurt me as well and to the community I apologize. I want everything we start to turn out great, to take risks, create diversity."

Spencer assured fans that Microsoft aims to strike a balance between independent and internally developed, first-party software.

Along with its announcement of Scalebound's cancellation, Microsoft gave a quick rundown of its release plans for 2017. "We're working hard to deliver an amazing lineup of games to our fans this year, including Halo Wars 2, Crackdown 3, State of Decay 2, Sea of Thieves and other great experiences," a company representative said.

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.

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Shacknews

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January 11, 2017 2:16 PM

David Craddock posted a new article, Xbox boss Phil Spencer says Microsoft will still 'take risks' following Scalebound's cancellation
- daggot
  
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  January 11, 2017 2:43 PM
  
  We have different definitions of "risks" I expect.
  - NeonGames_Kevin
    
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    January 11, 2017 9:30 PM
    
    Halo 8
    - kagath
      
       reply
      January 11, 2017 10:31 PM
      
      They need to take a risk and make sure Halo 6 is good first.
    - 60days
      
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      January 12, 2017 12:46 AM
      
      ..is now an epic trilogy
- [deleted] 1473693448
  
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  January 11, 2017 4:09 PM
  
  [deleted]
  - EnhancedInterrogator
    
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    January 11, 2017 4:18 PM
    
    hahahahah
    
    motherfuckers
- Ride-My-Rocket
  
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  January 11, 2017 8:56 PM
  
  They will only take the risks that are certain to make them lots of money.
- redshak
  
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  January 11, 2017 8:58 PM
  
  D4 sequel then
- Serpico74
  
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  January 11, 2017 9:44 PM
  
  https://twitter.com/SayemAhmd/status/819142227633078272
  - ThomW
    
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    January 12, 2017 5:07 AM
    
    Project Spark was released ... and THEN cancelled. Haha
- Zek
  
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  January 11, 2017 9:49 PM
  
  I don't think canceling a new property is necessarily a sign that the publisher isn't interested in taking risks. Maybe the game was shit.
  - sarcaz
    
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    January 12, 2017 1:47 AM
    
    When I first saw it, I thought it was cool. The second time it came across like it was supposed to be a last gen game.
  - bouxdag
    
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    January 12, 2017 2:44 AM
    
    I was super hyped when it got announced, but the last trailer looked awful imo, and as I recall most of the comments around here felt the same way, to say the least.
    
    So it seems a little silly to me to mock MS for canceling something, that at this point seems like a bigger risk to cancel. They spent enough time on it they could probably release a turd and make some of their money back, which is also what I see people outraged about a lot around here. "How could they release a game so bad?!?!?"