Xbox Boss Phil Spencer comments on licensed games

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Important takeaways

  • Xbox boss Phil Spencer is wary of licensed games due to licensing issues and prioritizes creative reasons.
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an exception to Spencer's view, as it was developed by a passionate team and not tied to any specific film.
  • Spencer feels confident in the Indiana Jones license and emphasizes the importance of strong relationships.



Xbox manager Phil Spencer explained why he is wary of producing licensed video games and outlined why Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the exception to that rule. Bethesda is on the way Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be released on December 9, launching on Xbox consoles and PC first, with a PlayStation 5 port coming later in 2025. The big circle is the first Indiana Jones licensed game since 2011 Indiana Jones Adventure World.

Licensed video games are a tricky beast. Historically, video games based on movies were not very desirable, due to the fact that they were mostly of poor quality and were only intended to tie in with the latest that would be released in theaters. The practice changed around the mid-to-late 2000s, as developers and publishers devoted their resources to other means of producing licensed video games, usually making their own thing based on the IP. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one such example, as it is not a game based on a specific film from the franchise, but instead takes inspiration from its history to create something new. Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently discussed the challenges of making licensed games.


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Speaking with Game File (courtesy of IGN), Spencer discussed the complex nature of licensed games and how to put them on streaming and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. The main reason why Spencer is so leery of licensed games is specifically racing games that are delisted due to the company losing the licenses. The most immediate and relevant example regarding Spencer's statement is how Xbox own Forza Horizon 4 will be delisted on December 15, although the game has seen a lot of success since its original release in 2018. “We've seen it in racing games that have to be delisted, because you lose some licenses,” Spencer said. “So I'm always very careful, if we're going to take on a license, that we do it for creative reasons, [that] the team has a goal about what they want to do.”



Licensed games require passionate teams, says Phil Spencer

The other reason Spencer is so leery of licensed games is that it requires a creative team passionate about the license. Indiana Jones and the Great Circlebeing developed by MachineGames with oversight from Lucasfilm Games, is an example of what Spencer is looking for. Spencer says the developers at MachineGames really “love” the world Indiana Jonespraise the story of The big circle by saying that it is one of its strongest parts, especially with how the game puts the player in the shoes of Indiana Jones through its first-person perspective.

We've seen it in racing games that have to be delisted, because you lose some licenses. So I'm always very careful, if we're going to take on a license, that we do it for creative reasons, [that] the team has a goal about what they want to do.


When asked if Spencer was worried about the license too Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would eventually go out, Spencer says he feels “good” about Xboxs partnership with Lucasfilm and Disney. Confirming the strong relationship between the companies, he mentions how Arkane is still evolving Marvel's Blade and that he recently visited the development team.

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