XboxPhil Spencer, whose official title is CEO of Microsoft Gaming, was asked about his favorite games in a recent interview with Famitsu, which included two titles. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. While some fans criticize his latest choice, he's an Xbox owner, a common answer in Game of the Year debates.
Speaking of which, fans can expect more Game of the Year debates in the next few months. The Game Awards take place on December 11, often serving as the crux of these discussions. Fans can expect the candidates to be announced before that date, but even now, debates often play out like games Hollow Knight: SilksongClair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2, Hades 2or Split Fiction.
Spencer isn't actively involved in these debates, of course, but his answers reflect what the “average” gamer might say. For example, even as the debate continues, Campaign 33 Many may be frontrunners for GOTY. According to Famitsu, Spencer set aside Microsoft's games to say Hollow Knight: Silksong, Campaign 33, Ninja Gaiden: Rageboundand Death Stranding 2. Of these four titles, Spencer has also assumed Campaign 33 As game of the year from his bunch. Bringing Microsoft's games back into the equation, Spencer highlighted Oblivion Remastered and Doom: The Dark Ages Some of his favorite games of the year.
The best sports of 2025 (according to Phil Spencer)
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Campaign 33
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Hollow Knight: Silksong
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Ninja Gaiden: Ragbound
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Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
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Oblivion Remastered
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Doom: The Dark Ages
Spencer's answer, while innocent in itself, is a reflection of a changing industry. Many Xbox games have come to PS5 in the last year or so, along with PS5 versions Halo: Combat Evolved There are also rumors that it will be announced soon. Xbox president Sarah Bond also recently said that the exclusives were “archaic for a lot of people”. Some fans may not agree and the reasons aren't as obvious, but there are conversational lines with the walk.
SCOOP: For the past two years, Microsoft has pushed Xbox to reach a profit margin of 30%, an ambitious goal that is much higher than the industry average. This drive for profit has led Xbox to raise prices, cut thousands of jobs and rethink everything. Story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article… — Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) 2025-10-23T11:02:14.614Z
Bloomberg's Jason Schreier recently reported that “Microsoft has pushed Xbox to 30% profit margins for the past two years”, explaining this move away from the feature, among other developments in the industry. Still, it's worth noting that it's an innocent question with an innocent answer. Death Stranding 2 A great game, one that deserves to be in any GOTY conversation.
