WithStarfield: Shattered SpaceandDiablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, weve seen a couple of major first-party Microsoft games getting expansions this year, so clearly, adding to its games with sizeable post-release expansions is something the company isnt against. But is it something that we can expect to see on a regular basis?In an interview with Game File, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer touched on the topic, stating that developing post-launch expansions is by no means a top-down mandate for all first-party studios, and that above all, he doesnt want expansions for games that feel manipulative, and instead add actual value to the larger experience.Its really left to the creators [regarding] what plan they have for their stories, he said. I think its a great way for us to reengage players who may be lapsed.I dont like expansions that are manipulative. I want it to have a unique point of view. I dont want it to be, like, the third level that you cut before you launched.Spencer went on to add that every release continues to be a learning experience even now- like the aforementionedShattered Space, which released earlier this year to divisive responses, with criticism being directed at its lack of new features. Interestingly, as per Spencer, those criticisms led director Todd Howard to wonder whether pairing the expansion with the release of buggies (which were added to the game for free earlier in the year) would have made it seem more substantial.But were always learning, he said. Todd and I were talking about Shattered Space. Starfield is a game I put a ton of hours into and really love, but theyve had this thing where theyve added features throughout the year and then they had an expansion.I think some of the feedback on the expansion is: We wanted more features. And hes like, Well, should we have waited to put buggies out?'Ultimately, however, Spencer says that not every first-party Xbox title is necessarily going to do expansions.I think youre trying to tune both development effort and the impact of the expansion. And I think there will always be a balance to managing the game month to month. But not every game will do expansions.