Key conclusions
- Xbox boss Phil Spencer is wary of licensed games due to licensing issues and prefers creative reasons.
- Indiana Jones and the Great Wheel is an exception from Spencer's point of view, as it was developed by a team committed to passion and not tied to any particular film.
- Spencer is confident in his Indiana Jones license and emphasizes the importance of strong relationships.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has explained why he is cautious about producing licensed video games and outlined the reason Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an exception to this rule. Bethesda's upcoming release Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be released on December 9, first on Xbox and PC, with a PlayStation 5 port coming later in 2025. 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 weren't very desirable because they were mostly low-quality and only meant to tie in with the latest things that would premiere in theaters. The practice changed around the mid-to-late 2000s, when developers and publishers devoted their resources to other ways of creating licensed video games, usually doing their own thing based on IP. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one such example, as it's not a game based on a specific movie in the franchise, but it takes inspiration from its story to create something new. Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently discussed the challenges of creating licensed games.

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Speaking to Game File (courtesy of IGN), Spencer discussed the complex nature of licensed games and how to get them onto streaming and subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. The main reason why Spencer is so hesitant about licensed games is precisely the racing games that were removed from the list due to the company losing licenses. The most immediate and relevant example of Spencer's statement is Xbox's own statement Forza Horizon 4 will be delisted on December 15, even though the game was a huge success after its initial release in 2018. “We've seen it with racing games that have to be delisted because you lose some licenses,” Spencer said. “So I'm always very careful when we're going to take a license that we're doing it for creative reasons, [that] the team has a purpose around what they want to do.”
Licensed games need passionate teams, says Phil Spencer
Another reason Spencer is so hesitant about licensed games is that they require a creative team passionate about the license. Indiana Jones and the Great Circlebeing developed by MachineGames under the supervision of Lucasfilm Games, is an example of what Spencer is looking for. Spencer says the developers at MachineGames really “love” the world Indiana Jonespraising the history of a Big circle saying it's one of its strongest parts, especially considering how the game puts the player in the shoes of Indiana Jones through a first-person perspective.
We've seen it in racing games that have to be removed because you lose some licenses. So I'm always very careful that if we're going to take a license, we're doing it for creative reasons, [that] the team has a goal around what they want to do.
When asked if Spencer was worried if the license to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle finally over, Spencer says she feels “great.” Xboxpartnership with Lucasfilm and Disney. To confirm the strong relationship between the companies, he mentions that Arkane is still in development Marvel Blade and that he recently visited the development team.