Microsoft's Phil Spencer has promised that Xbox users are going to get a Games with Gold service in the future that's "more true" to what they'd expect from the service.
Coming in the same month the Microsoft offered (the excellent, but dated) Civilization Revolution at the same time as Sony's PS Plus service offered the recently released Tomb Raider, Spencer's comments will offer fans hope that the Games with Gold service is set to improve.
"One of our issues with Games with Gold - not 'issues,' but differences between the other system we get compared to, is the fact that with Games with Gold, you get to keep that game, regardless of whether you continue to subscribe," Spencer told Polygon following an appearance in a SXSW Gaming panel. "And the business around Games with Gold, for us, is just fundamentally different from some of the other programs that are out there, which does put a different financial picture on a - you're gonna go buy a game that's brand new, the cost of putting that in, just to be kind of blunt about it."
Spencer then confirmed that he has been working with the Games with Gold team in order to try and improve the service's offerings: "That said, I have been sitting down, monthly now, with that team - some of the earlier months were already programmed - and playing a more active role in picking franchises that show up in Games with Gold, and I think you'll see at least something that feels, at least, more true to what I think Games with Gold should look like with the constraints that are there."
He then continued: "For us, in the long run, as an industry, giving away content like that is just ... I think there's some steps and some evolution of what Games with Gold or any of the other systems will go through to their full potential. You have things out there that are kind of bigger subscription services, where I get access to a lot of content. Games with Gold is kind of this step in the middle of, 'I get games, and how do I feel about those games.'"
For those with an Xbox One wondering when and/or whether Games with Gold will make the transition to the new-gen console, Spencer wouldn't be drawn on an answer during this interview. However, last month the Microsoft man did say "fairly soon" when asked on Twitter.