Phil Spencer said Xbox’s decision not to delay Redfall again came down to more than bugs: he believed the game’s deeper problem was that its creative execution was not delivering the experience intended for players. He acknowledged the quality problems and apologized for Xbox underdelivering, but argued that more time alone would not necessarily have fixed that mismatch.
What happened before launch
Redfall, developed by Arkane Austin and published by Bethesda Softworks, launched on May 2, 2023, for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Its release had already shifted from a planned 2022 window to the first half of 2023. At launch, the console versions lacked the announced 60-fps mode, and contemporary coverage documented bugs and other technical problems. The question was why Xbox did not push the release back again.
In a May 4, 2023 interview on Kinda Funny’s Xcast, Microsoft Gaming chief Phil Spencer described a distinction between a production problem that more time might address and a deeper failure of creative execution. As Game Informer reported, Spencer said: “That doesn’t feel like a ‘Hey, just delay it.’ That feels like the game had a goal to do one thing, and when players are actually playing, they’re just not feeling that thing. They’re not feeling the creative execution of the team.”
Why Spencer said another delay might not help
More time can address some problems, not guarantee a different game
Spencer was not saying that bugs or technical shortcomings did not matter. His point was that he saw the central issue as the experience’s creative result, not merely unfinished work that a short extension would necessarily resolve. He said another three months would not necessarily have changed that core outcome, as HotHardware reported.
#1 Best Overall
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That is Spencer’s explanation of the decision, not proof that a further delay could not have improved the launch. Extra time can help with polish and technical work; it does not, by itself, ensure that a game’s design and execution will connect with players.
He acknowledged Xbox’s responsibility
Spencer apologized for the result: “And we underdelivered on that, and for that, I apologize. It’s not what I expect, not what I want. But it’s ours to deliver,” Game Informer quoted him as saying. He also said Microsoft should have supported Arkane Austin sooner: “We should have been there for the team earlier. That’s on us. We were too late to help. I take that as a learning. As painful as it is,” according to GameSpot.
Rank #2
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What the reviews and mock reviews showed
Spencer said Microsoft’s commissioned mock reviews had scored the game higher than some actual reviews. He described the gap as “double digits lower,” a qualitative comparison rather than a precise average or a disclosed sample size; Game Developer reported his comments. GameSpot’s May 4, 2023 coverage cited a 62 Metascore at that time. That is a historical snapshot, not a current score.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How a former Arkane director later described the project
In a PC Gamer interview published September 14, 2026, former Arkane Austin creative director Harvey Smith offered a separate, retrospective view. He said: “That was a game that did not come together, and we never should have been working on a games-as-a-service game, to be honest,” as PC Gamer reported. Smith’s assessment suggests a possible mismatch between the studio and the project, but it is not Spencer’s explanation for the 2023 release decision.
Rank #3
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PC Gamer also reported that Arkane Austin closed and development ended after a final update. Spencer’s 2023 promise to address feedback should therefore not be read as evidence that the game was fully repaired or remains in active development.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Rank #4
- XBOX ELITE WIRELESS CONTROLLER SERIES 2: Play like a pro with adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger locks..Audio : 3.5mm stereo headset jack. Also compatible with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter and all other Xbox controller accessories made by Microsoft.
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- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
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