Phil Spencer discusses “current culture of criticism and cancellation” in awards speech

The 12th annual New York Game Awards recently concluded, with one of the many winners being head of Xbox Phil Spencer – who accepted the Andrew Yoon Memorial Legend Award. As part of his acceptance speech, Spencer spoke on the “current culture of criticism and cancellation.”

As part of his acceptance speech for the Andrew Yoon Memorial Legend Award, Phil Spencer spoke on the role of gaming in bringing joy during a period where “there is more despair in the world,” saying (as transcribed by VGC):

“Today, as creators, as leaders, as world builders, our greatest responsibility is to inspire and invite joy. Each one of the hundreds of titles that players have at their fingertips today and tomorrow is a calling card for joy.”

Spencer continued, “Halo, God of War, Vampire Survivors, Peppa Pig – big games, small games, mobile games indie games – each one is designed to deliver an infusion of joy in the midst of our lives, to give us so much joy people want to talk about it, to share it.”

In what might have been a poor choice of words, Spencer said “Our creators who bravely and intentionally release their visions to the world, particularly in the current culture of criticism and cancellation. Our players who bravely and intentionally carve out time for our games to invite, rest and rejuvenate their lives. To seek and surround ourselves with a multitude of perspectives. To honour our differences across experiences and geographies, and to practice empathy when intentionally listening to others.”

Finally, Spencer concluded, “We turn away from dividing players and creators, and instead towards each other, as we advance and amplify joy together. This is the echo effect of gaming joy.”

While gaming can and has managed to achieve so much more than just simply bringing joy, the core message is a positive one, and so hopefully some of the more ‘suspect’ parts of the speech was simply as a result of unintentional word salad.

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KitGuru says: What did you think of the speech? What emotion do you get most from playing games? Let us know down below.

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