Xbox’s IP Problem
Since Phil Spencer took over as the Head of Xbox, things have been in a massive upswing for the brand. Fans are rejuvenated as more and more studios are being added to the first party family. Gamepass has been a huge success, while Backwards Compatibility and its continued support have been incredible. The Xbox Adaptive Controller has been a miraculous tech innovation for disabled gamers, and many other signs of a much healthier Xbox than before his appointment to the top spot.
Support Your IPs
That being said, there is still one thing that Xbox desperately needs; nurturing, supporting, and growing their new IPs. Throughout its history as a console and game maker, the Xbox brand has largely struggled with turning games into sustainable franchises. Their IP basement is filled with IP’s that have been abandoned for whatever reason, many after just a single entry. Obviously, Xbox is operating a business, not a game catering service for spoiled fans, but fans do drive their business.
A Lack of Second Chances
Casting off IP’s with potential after just a single entry or two is wasted potential and a bad look for the company. Especially when they are already at a large disadvantage for exclusives heading into this console generation. The last generation, (Xbox One) alone had several noteworthy IPs seemingly axed after failure to meet the standard Xbox wanted at the time. Quantum Break, ReCore, and Ryse were all high-profile exclusives last generation, and appear to be effectively dead to rights now. The cancellation of Scalebound is another point of discontent from the fanbase.
Not all “disappointing” games deserve a second chance; sometimes they are just bad. However, when there is a fanbase starving for new franchises to support, and they are actually passionate about these franchises, it’s mindboggling to see them just cast aside. Xbox can’t expect to maintain a portfolio of Gears, Halo, Forza, and Forza Horizon sequels exclusively, with one-and-done IPs sprinkled in. They need other franchises to carry the brand, as well. State of Decay, Outer Worlds, and Wasteland seems to have Microsoft’s support going forward, so that is a great sign. However, the sheer number of potential (Ryse, Lost Odyssey, etc.) or already established franchises (Banjo-Kazooie, Killer Instinct, etc.) that they have locked away, is disheartening for fans.
It’s particularly frustrating to fans, when Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, mentions that family-friendly games are an area of need in their catalog, when fans know they already have Banjo, Kameo, Viva, and others in their library, just wasting. They should absolutely look to bolster this genre in the catalog by acquiring more IPs, but it’s not cool to continue ignoring beloved classics, and expecting fans to be happy about it. There needs to be a good balance of both – new IPs and established franchises. It’s not the easiest thing to do, but Nintendo and Sony have found a way to do it well, so surely Xbox can, as well.
Xbox Has Shown Progress
In the past year, Xbox has made great strides in addressing their classic IPs, resurrecting Battle Toads, Flight Simulator, Fable, and Perfect Dark. These are four truly beloved franchises, and their reintroduction to modern gaming has been a much-needed gesture of goodwill toward the Xbox Family. Banjo fans were given a glimmer of hope when Xbox allowed the titular character to appear as a guest fighter in Nintendo’s Super Smash Brother Ultimate game. While this is a great start, it still does not give Xbox players a new Banjo experience. Banjo is far from the only jilted IP in storage, but it remains the one with the largest and most vocal fanbase, clamoring for its return.
