Xbox Exec says developers are brave during ‘cancellation’ culture

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer contrasted the joys of gaming with the present Feeling of desperation in the world after accepting the Andrew Yoon Legend Award at the 12th Annual New York Game Awards at Tuesday evening. He also applauded creators who are still releasing “their visions” into the world amid the “current culture of criticism and rejection,” a strained line at a time when debates about the ethics of boycotting certain games such as the United States are raging Hogwarts legacy.

“As world builders, our greatest responsibility is to inspire and invite joy,” says Spencer said. The veteran executive who spearheaded many of Microsoft’s gaming acquisitions Minecraft with Bethesda, spoke about what games meant to him growing up and the increasing difficulty of drawing on them in the modern world. “It feels like today the pursuit of joy is an act of defiance,” he said.

Spencer continued:

We, all of us here today, all of our teams around the world, we are all part of creating this echo effect of joy. Our creators, boldly and consciously taking their visions out into the world, especially in the current culture of criticism and rejection; our players who bravely and consciously make time for our games to invite, rest and rejuvenate their lives; and business leaders. We are challenged to have the courage to protect and nurture this collective joy.

While the CEO of Microsoft Gaming a outspoken advocate for making Xbox something more diverse and integrative power In the gaming world, the phrase about our “current culture of criticism and rejection” could be interpreted as an “anti-wake” dog whistle, and hits an unusual note at a time when more and more developers and gamers are expecting game companies to be accountable to be pulled Political Views and ethical flaws.

Just last month, Microsoft was in promotional mode for Justin Roiland and Squanch Games’ comedy shooter high in life. The company even interviewed Rolland and celebrated the game later than that greatest pass start of the year. However, last week it was announced that the Rick and Morty co-creator faced two domestic violence offenses as of 2020 and that Squanch Games had settled a sexual harassment lawsuit a year earlier in 2019.

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The “cancellation culture” might as well apply to the debate currently unfolding among some gamers and content creators whether they support transgender rights and can still buy Hogwarts legacy. Despite JK Rowling who currently is crusade against trans women not involved in the game, the author still collects royalties and is impossible to separate from the larger ones Harry Potter Brand.

One of the game’s voice actors, Sebastian Croft, recently apologized for anyone injured by announcing their involvement in the game. The game’s developers at Avalanche Software have also attempted to distance themselves from Rowling, and have a Transgender option in character creator. The studio too parted ways with a developer about his YouTube videos supporting GamerGate and other controversial views.

It’s not clear if Spencer was trying to question people who hold game developers guilty in some cases, to imply that game developers are sometimes subject to unfair and malicious criticism, or whether he was citing how easily this makes developers the target of harassment -Called fans and players.

Nor will Microsoft be the only company indirectly benefiting from Rowling’s work Hogwarts legacy. The game will also be available for PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC. Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.