There’s “no signal” from Microsoft to slow down Xbox’s developer acquisitions

In recent years, Microsoft has acquired Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, InXile, Obsidian, Compulsion Games, Double Fine and PlayGround Games. Now, it looks like Microsoft’s buying spree isn’t over, adding more legitimacy to the recent rumours that Microsoft’s interested in buying Warner Brothers Interactive.      

If the last console generation has taught Microsoft anything, it’s that they need strong first-party IP to make their next console, the Xbox Series X, a success. More studio acquisitions could help with that effort, though Spencer has stated that Xbox needs to move at a “maintainable” pace. 

Below is what Phil Spencer had to say during his GamesIndustry interview regarding studio acquisitions.  
   

    We acquired quite a few new studios in a short amount of time, and we want to make sure that those studios are on-boarded in the right way. As Matt and I were talking about it, we just wanted to make sure that we treated the incoming studios as full parts of the organisation. That they felt supported.

The Game Pass portfolio and subscriber base continues to grow. We’re launching a new console. Last year was our biggest year ever on PC in terms of revenue as Xbox Game Studios. A lot of the business is doing really well, so we’re always in the market for new opportunities with studios.

The first priority was making sure the studios had the things that they needed to build the best versions of their games. That means extending some of the timelines, and giving them more budgets. We have really strong support from Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, and Amy Hood, the CFO. And there’s been no signal at all that we should be slowing down, but just to go at a pace that is maintainable for us as a leadership team. We’re always out there talking to people. But it has to be the right opportunity.