Microsoft's Phil Spencer discusses "unhealthy" Xbox One fanboyism--are you one of them?

Microsoft Games Studios chief Phil Spencer has discussed the "unhealthy" fanboyism that exists in gaming.

"There seems to be this natural faction that gets created around what console you own, and then this, I would call it unhealthy dislike, for people who own the other console," said Spencer at a talk during SXSW 2014.

Praising the work of Sony, Nintendo, and Valve, Spencer said all companies were looking to be competitive, but in the marketplace and in the games. "In the end, what we all want to do is to take this art form of playing games and experiencing and breaking down that wall between a linear narrative and an interactive capability, and just make a better form of entertainment."

"I love the fans that we have," Spencer continued, "but I don't think being a fan of Xbox does not mean you can't be a fan of something else, or you have to be an anti-fan of some other brand. At least I'm not. I own a PlayStation 4, I play games on a PlayStation 4. I own a Wii U, I play games on my Wii U. I learn a ton from what happens on those other platforms.

"In terms of the kind of concerns people have on the social space, it is usually about how we're doing in the competition against PlayStation. They had a great launch. I will say, when I look at the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One launches, it's been our best launch ever for an Xbox."

"A year ago, the question was whether consoles were relevant anymore, and has the industry moved beyond console gaming--is anyone going to show up to the party when these two big console manufacturers bring their products out in November? And today I think we'd all say that hasn't been a problem. If you look at what both consoles have done, it's been an amazing year."

"The units that we've both been able to sell shows an amazing start to this console generation."

For more on fanboys, check out Cam's exploration of the psychological triggers behind why people develop an unhealthy dislike of other brands in a classic episode of Reality Check.