For over a year, Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard has dominated headlines – though the purchase has yet to go through due to pressure from several regulatory agencies. Regardless, Phil Spencer, head of gaming at Microsoft, claims that the deal isn’t integral to Xbox’s future.
During an interview with The Times, Spencer explained that Xbox will continue with or without Activision Blizzard (thanks, VGC).
“This is an important acquisition for us. It’s not some linchpin to the long term — Xbox will exist if this deal doesn’t go through,” Spencer said.
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recently expressed concerns that the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard merger could negatively impact console competitors like Sony and Nintendo. Similarly, the FTC filed a lawsuit to block the deal – stating that such a deal could give Microsoft an unfair advantage in the video game industry.
“Competition is us trying to get stronger,” Spencer explains. “I don’t have [a] great rationale for how better competition in consoles is somehow hurtful for consumers. Because to me, having us, Sony, and Nintendo doing well in the console market – all of us with strengths and uniqueness and content and capabilities – gives consumers more choice.”
“I’d hate to see consoles go to where phones are where there are only two manufacturers,” Spencer continues. “And, right now, we have three good competitors.”
Last week, Microsoft announced new partnerships with Nintendo and Nvidia – suggesting that titles like Call of Duty wouldn’t become Xbox exclusives.
Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.
