Microsoft Game Studios boss Phil Spencer had quite a bit of information to share on what's going on with the teams under his watchful eye today, and he seems to have changed his mind about a rather relevant detail: funding games directly in order to actually own their IP.

Answering to a user asking about Shenmue, he gave bad news to those that would like it to return under Xbox's flag, but he indeed mentioned that he's now more willing than in the past to directly offer funding for third party titles in order to retain ownership on their IP.

I know there is lots of Shenmue love out there, but it's a Sega game, we can't build it.

Probably a change from the past but I'm more in favor of funding our games. I like growing base of owned IP.

On the same train of thought, he mentioned that at this point he kind of wishes he'd have funded Titanfall instead of letting Electronic Arts do it, probably because EA and Respawn still own the franchise and are free to release further installments on other platforms.

I like TF but Studios didn't fund or build it, so not really exception. Kind of wish I had though at this point.

That promped a question about what the rumored (but never confirmed) Microsoft Game Studio Osaka might be doing, and the news here aren't too good as its most literally doing nothing, even if Spencer promised to show more from Japanese developers, probably at E3.

Sorry to bust this one again, there isn't an MGS Osaka but we will show more J dev'd games, e3 if plans hold.

Luckily Rare does exist, and according to Spencer they're an important gear of the Microsoft Game Studio machine, mentioning that the company will take a look at their older IPs when deciding what to do next.

SoD is important to us as is Rare. Give us a little time to announce nexts.

We will definitely look at older Rare IP when thinking about what to do next.

As for the reason why he's been fairly silent in the past couple days, looks like he was spending time reviewing the progress of the studios on their upcoming games:

Sorry, 3 day portfolio review, just got finished. Nice to see all the studios come in and show their progress. Great job teams.

Just means studios came in this week and showed their games, took a lot of time (good time). So didn't have enough posting time.

If you're wondering what kind of super secret projects Spencer got to see and play, I am as well. Of course he gave no further hints, but it's always good to hear that the Gears (of War) are spinning at Microsoft.

Yes. That was a pun.