The Xbox version of Baldur's Gate 3 is currently on track to launch in December, as developer Larian Studios has now confirmed.
04.11.2023 - 04:13 / gamesradar.com / Phil Spencer / Game Pass
For years, Microsoft employees have enjoyed a perk that gives them free subscriptions to Game Pass Ultimate, and that benefit was on track to be discontinued until Xbox boss Phil Spencer stepped in and saved the day.
Per The Verge, Microsoft's original plan was to remove the benefit from most of its 238,000 employees' compensation packages in January. Naturally, employees were quick to express their disappointment in the decision, and at some point Spencer reportedly became personally involved. Now, Spencer has confirmed that the decision to remove the perk has been reversed.
"After looking into this more with the team, I just want to confirm that no change will be made to Game Pass availability in 2024. If you have access to the Game Pass offer today you will continue to have access," Spencer said in an internal message to Microsoft employees. "I appreciate the time to get up to speed and sorry for the questions and confusion created. And thanks for supporting Xbox."
While it's unclear precisely how much Spencer's involvement influenced Microsoft's decision, the Xbox boss is generally being hailed as the savior of so many employees' Game Pass bonus. Personally, I'm hesitant to fawn over an executive leader at one of the world's largest corporations that's currently acquiring smaller but still huge businesses at an alarming rate, but this indeed sounds like a good move by Spencer.
that’s why he’s the GOATNovember 3, 2023
Common Goat Spencer W pic.twitter.com/OmOjlTzzq6November 3, 2023
One thing is certain, Phil Spencer is the God of gamingNovember 3, 2023
GoatedNovember 3, 2023
That’s why I rock with Phil and Xbox. He’s GOATED.November 3, 2023
THAT'S WHY HE'S THE GOAAAT pic.twitter.com/8SgI0uF9zMNovember 3, 2023
You get the vibe. It's not often a major corporation pulls a full 180 on a business decision for the benefit of its employees, and amid brutal layoffs at several prominent gaming companies, it's just nice to see something unequivocally good happen. Granted, this wouldn't have transpired if Microsoft hadn't planned to take away a popular employee benefit in the first place, but sometimes you have to take what you can get.
Now all of Microsoft's employees can get on with playing the best games on Game Pass without interruption.
The Xbox version of Baldur's Gate 3 is currently on track to launch in December, as developer Larian Studios has now confirmed.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently told a reporter that he considers PlayStation 5 and Switch users as part of the Xbox community. He made this remark in reference to Activision Blizzard games on non-Microsoft platforms.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has revealed in an interview with Japanese publication Famitsu that he believes PS5 and Nintendo Switch players to also be part of the Xbox family, alongside Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC players.
Xbox has had a busy year which involved the release of Starfield and the finalization of the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Xbox head Phil Spencer considers PS5 and Nintendo Switch users part of the overarching Xbox community.
With Activision Blizzard now officially owned by Microsoft, some pretty major franchises have come under Xbox ownership, and though Call of Duty is obviously getting a great deal of attention in those conversations, one cannot downplay the significance of Xbox now owning major Blizzard properties like Warcraft, StarCraft, Overwatch, and Diablo.
Microsoft’s head of gaming, Phil Spencer, appeared at BlizzCon on Friday to address fans following the completion of its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The Baldur’s Gate 3 Xbox release is still on schedule to take place before the end of 2023, Larian boss Swen Vincke has said in a quick update on game’s development progress.
Larian Studios’ CEO, Swen Vincke, has confirmed that the Xbox Series X|S version of Baldur’s Gate 3 is still on track to launch before the end of the year.
The Baldur’s Gate 3 Xbox release is still on schedule to take place before the end of 2023, Larian boss Swen Vincke has said in a quick update on game’s development progress.
Microsoft has announced they are doing a major shakeup to management in their gaming divisions.
By Tom Warren, a senior editor covering Microsoft, PC gaming, console, and tech. He founded WinRumors, a site dedicated to Microsoft news, before joining The Verge in 2012.