cross-posted from: https://kbin.social/m/gaming/t/471480
Archive link: https://archive.ph/iMJzD
I know this is disappointing, even if many of the documents are well over a year old and our plans have evolved.
We all put incredible amounts of passion and energy into our work, and this is never how we want that hard work to be shared with the community.
In the days and weeks ahead, let’s stay focused on what we can control: continuing the amazing success of Starfield, the upcoming launch of the incredible and accessible Forza Motorsport, and continuing to build games, services and devices that millions of players can enjoy.
I do find it a little interesting that Phil Spencer is ignoring the content of the leaks and instead just focusing on the fact the documents are out of date. I would imagine the contents of the leaks are likely still pretty close to accurate, even if plans have changed a little, as a result.
I also wonder if Xbox will use the reaction to the leaks to determine potential changes going forward (ie: reactions to the console being all digital, reactions to the next gen console processor, etc).
You generally don’t want to confirm leaks as being true, so you’ll either not say anything about it (this was an internal memo, not a public post) or you’ll say something along the lines of “These things are subject to change and don’t reflect the final product”
This was an internal email, not a PR comment.
Ideally, you would have internal PR and crisis comms draft such a mailing, because you plan that it gets leaked. He probably saw it once to sign off on, but it was writen by comms.
Source: this is textbook crisis pr
Almost certainly, make lemonade and all that, it can be very valuable feedback it just wouldn’t have been worth telegraphing your 5 year plan.