Source: Microsoft
After a lengthy acquisition process for Activision Blizzard, Microsoft is interested in expanding its repertoire within the gaming space.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer reveals that he has his eyes set on more acquisitions to aid what Microsoft has in store for its gaming sector. This follows Microsoft's acquisition of game publisher Activision Blizzard in 2023, which saw the company shell out a whopping $68.7 billion for the deal - the biggest of its kind in the history of gaming acquisitions.
No similarly big acquisitions are imminent as of now, as Microsoft is still in the process of absorbing and integrating Activision Blizzard staff into their ranks, which also resulted in over 1,900 employees being let go due to issues of redundancy and overlap. Spencer also expressed interest in deals that add “geographic diversity,” specifically focused on finding deals in China, which Spencer states was a “good area for [us] to learn from creative teams that have real unique capability.”
After its Activision acquisition, Microsoft signed a partnership with Chinese game publisher NetEase to bring Blizzard Entertainment’s games back to the devices of its Chinese consumers, after more than a year of being unavailable. Microsoft also recently partnered with Tencent Holdings Ltd, releasing a new mobile version of Age of Empires in October of this year.
Spencer also divulged his thoughts on handheld game devices, stating that although there is an expectation that Microsoft will release such a device in the future, observations must be done to develop a vision based on the current market trends. Microsoft is already working on prototypes and considering what it might do next.
“Longer term, I love us building devices. And I think our team could do some real innovative work, but we want to be informed by learning and what’s happening now.”
Right now, Microsoft is focused on refining its planned online store for mobile games, which has been delayed, as the group does additional research on the market. Xbox president Sara Bond revealed the store earlier in May this year with a release date planned for July, but the store has since been put on hold.
