During a discussion at the Paley International Council Summit, Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, emphasized the vital role of creative risk-taking. He expressed, “The creativity of the teams is, in my mind, the most important thing and the thing that we need to protect and foster.”

Schafer, the head of Double Fine, praised Microsoft’s approach, indicating that their experience has confirmed the commitment to maintaining creative freedom. “When we talked about becoming acquired, it was a big thing for me, like, ‘How do we keep our culture intact?’” he reflected.

Spencer acknowledged that the company has not always succeeded in supporting these creative teams, a remark made amidst current challenges within the gaming division, including significant layoffs and project cancellations.