Phil Spencer Downplays Microsoft Japan Expansion
During a recent interview, executive vice-president of Gaming at Microsoft Phil Spencer claimed that Microsoft isn’t as blatant about its expansion into Japan as some thought. Rumors have been circulating that the company is looking to acquire more Japanese developers, but Phil Spencer claims that these rumors are unfounded. Any Japanese team that may join Xbox Game Studios will have their games wind up on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $15 per month.
“I’m not in every meeting that every team has, but I’ll say not from me,” said Phil Spencer. “Most of the opportunities that we’ve had to date have been a long-lasting relationship, and so, I don’t think we’re out there with our business card, throwing them out on the corner, trying to find people. I’ve talked about my affinity for Japanese studios and thinking back in the day when we had more games that were created in Japan as part of our first party, I’m excited when the deal closes to get to spend more time with Tango Gameworks and the work that they’re doing.”
“So it’s an area that I’m interested in, but no, I don’t think it’s,” continued Phil Spencer. “I think that’s not accurate… I will say I don’t think I’m going to go into Japan and outsell the Japanese console makers with Xbox. I would hope to, I would like to, but it’s not in the plan that I’ve written down, but we’re going to work really hard to have the best generation that we’ve ever had in Japan and the same thing in Korea and China. I feel good about our opportunity there.
Do you think Phil Spencer is downplaying a real acquisition Microsoft is trying to secure or is he doing some damage control? Let us know in the comments below!