Phil Spencer gave an interview to Bloomberg. We learn that Microsoft would like to resume buyouts.
The digestion of Activision Blizzard and Bethesda seems to be progressing well for Phil Spencer, the boss of Microsoft Gaming.
After having spent some 77 billion dollars in a few years to buy Activision Blizzard King, Bethesda Zenimax and several other studios, Microsoft would like to start hunting again.
This is what Phil Spencer, the boss of Microsoft Gaming, confides in the columns of Bloomberg this week.
Target Asia and mobile
According to the boss, these are the kind of buyouts that could further increase the group’s activity in sectors where the firm is struggling. Particularly Asia, for more geographic diversity, and the mobile ecosystem.
We absolutely want to be in the market, and if we find teams, technologies and capabilities that add to what we’re trying to do in gaming at Microsoft, we remain vigilant.
Phil Spencer
This idea may still seem curious when 2024 was the year when Microsoft closed its only Japanese studio, Tango Gameworks. Phil Spencer reassures us by admitting that no takeover is yet on the horizon.
In addition, any massive takeover must be ruled out while Microsoft is still spending a lot of energy integrating the Activision Blizzard teams.
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard had caused a lot of uproar with competition authorities, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States.
The change of government across the Atlantic after the victory of Donald Trump could, however, favor takeovers by large American groups.
Fewer layoffs on the horizon?
If Phil Spencer talks again about growing his organization through buyouts, we can hope that the period of waves of massive staff cuts is now behind Xbox. Microsoft is one of the major architects of the numerous layoffs experienced by the video game industry in 2023 and 2024.
The Xbox business has never been healthier. The business is strong right now, and I think that means a healthier future for the hardware and games we make. I am quite satisfied with the evolution of this sector.
Phil Spencer
A communication which is intended to be reassuring for the future of Xbox and video games, but which could well raise eyebrows in the industry where many people are today left behind.
