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Phil Spencer: No Delay Expected for Xbox Series X, But Game Production Is ‘Bigger Unknown’

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Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has reiterated that Xbox Series X isn’t currently looking at any kind of launch delay, saying it’s “in line with where we thought we would be”, but has said that production of games themselves is the “bigger unknown” amid the COVID-19 outbreak.Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Alley, Spencer made clear that Xbox hardware development was continuing at a somewhat expected pace: “The teams are doing a really good job on keeping our hardware on track. On the hardware side we feel good about our plans. There’s obviously some impact to schedules but, overall, I think we’re in line with where we thought we would be.”However, Spencer made clear that games production is less predictable because of its less centralised creation: “I’d say the bigger unknown is probably the game production, just being honest. Game production is a large-scale entertainment activity now; you have hundreds of people coming together, building assets, working through creative.”

It’s worth noting that Spencer isn’t saying that game delays are coming, just that they’re harder to predict. “We’re learning every day,” he continued, “I still feel good about it, but I also need to make sure that the security and safety of the teams is the more important thing and not unduly push when things just aren’t ready.”

Spencer’s spoken to IGN previously about this issue, and made clear that a game delay – even to a flagship launch title like Halo: Infinite – would be extremely unlikely to delay the launch of the Series X itself. Analysts have speculated to IGN that, while consoles may not see a delay, they could see launch shortages – recent reports suggested that would indeed be the case for PS5, which could see ‘limited’ availability in its first year.

9 New Xbox Series X Images

We’ve seen some major games delayed due to the current crisis – most notably The Last of Us Part 2, which was initially postponed indefinitely, before being announced for a new June 19 release.

We should be seeing some of the initial Series X games for the first time at next week’s May 7 Inside Xbox broadcast, which will focus on third-party games.

Xbox Series X is scheduled to be released during Holiday 2020. Right now we know the Xbox Series X specs, we have an educated guess on its price based on those specs, and a full comparison with PS5. What we know far less about is Xbox Series X games, but we have a list of confirmed and rumoured titles for the next-gen console.

Here’s how you can help and stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Joe Skrebels is IGN’s Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter.



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