Microsoft's Phil Spencer on competition with Sony: "I love it"

The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will go head-to-head in November when both consoles launch worldwide. Microsoft Studios corporate vice president Phil Spencer is energized by the competition, saying it is good for the industry and for gamers overall.

"I love it," Spencer told The Guardian in a new interview from Gamescom in Cologne, Germany.

"If you think back a couple of years, there were questions about whether big shows like this were meaningful and about where the business was going. I think about E3 this year as one of the most exciting I've been to, and 300,000 people will come through here! It's good for the industry that there's such high awareness," he added. "And competition is good for gamers. Head to head in the same month? It's going to be exciting."

On the other side of the fence, Sony UK managing director Fergal Gara addressed the competition with Microsoft by saying "we're all competitive animals" and "it's nice to know you're ahead."

During Sony's Gamescom briefing on Tuesday, executive Andrew House jabbed Microsoft for its policy reversals. Spencer responded by saying, "Other people will do and say what they're going to say. Fine."

Sony recently nailed down a November 15 release date for the PS4 in North America, while Microsoft has committed to releasing the Xbox One sometime in November. The PS4 will sell for $400, while the Xbox One will debut at $500.