Phil Spencer Discusses Call of Duty and Activision Blizzard Acquisition: What You Need to Know
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently sat down with Charleyy Hodson from Xbox On for an extended interview. During the interview, Spencer discussed the games he’s been playing as well as his upcoming plans. Hodson and Spencer also talked about the ongoing Activision Blizzard acquisition and the importance of mobile gaming to Xbox. Finally, the interview ended on Spencer stating his thoughts on the potential of AI to change and improve video games.
Introduction
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer isn’t afraid to get in front of a camera or sit down for an interview, and he recently did just that with Charleyy Hodson of Xbox On. The interview runs for nearly 23 minutes and sees the dynamic duo discuss the present and future of Xbox and video games in general.
Phil Spencer’s Gaming Preferences
- Games he’s been playing
- Xbox Series S and xScreen
- Vampire Survivors, Hi-Fi RUSH, and Age of Empires 2
Phil Spencer’s Upcoming Plans
- Visit to Ninja Theory for checking Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- The ways in which Playground Games is helping Fable to evolve with its remake
Xbox’s Plans, Announcements, and Showcases
- Exciting announcements to make in the first half of 2023.
- Building an exciting showcase for June 2023
- Expectation of more “Goldeneye-type announcements” before the major showcase
Activision Blizzard Acquisition and Mobile Gaming
- Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King
- The deal is ultimately about mobile games and not Call of Duty
- Acquiring the largest mobile games publisher outside of China
- Mobile gaming is the largest market in video games
- Activision Blizzard King provides the talent, creativity, and IPs to help Xbox fix the weakness in mobile gaming
- Xbox’s intention to acquire Activision Blizzard
Call of Duty and Xbox
- Xbox never intended to take Call of Duty away from competing platforms
- How can Xbox build more capability on mobile for Call of Duty?
- The best version of Call of Duty for any player on any of those platforms
- No exclusive skins or guns for Call of Duty on Xbox
Conclusion
Microsoft Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, discussed his gaming preferences, upcoming plans, and Xbox’s imminent plans, announcements and showcases in an extended interview with Charleyy Hodson of Xbox On. They also talked about the ongoing Activision Blizzard acquisition and the importance of mobile gaming to Xbox, with Spencer stating his thoughts on how AI can change and improve video games. Xbox is all-in on building an exciting showcase for June 2023, with more “Goldeneye-type announcements” on the cards before then. Xbox never intended to take Call of Duty away from competing platforms, with Xbox’s focus on building a platform to reach gamers anywhere. The deal with Activision Blizzard King is about gaining more capability on mobile for Call of Duty. This acquisition provides Xbox with the talent, creativity, and IPs to help fix the weakness in mobile gaming.
FAQs
1. Who is Phil Spencer?
Phil Spencer is the current Microsoft Gaming CEO who has been actively involved in the gaming industry for several years.
2. What is the ongoing Activision Blizzard acquisition?
The ongoing Activision Blizzard acquisition refers to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, which is ultimately about mobile games, Xbox’s weakest area in the current ecosystem.
3. What is the importance of mobile gaming to Xbox?
Mobile gaming is the largest market in video games, and Xbox’s ecosystem has been weak in this area, prompting the acquisition of Activision Blizzard King to provide the talent, creativity, and IPs to help Xbox fix that weakness.
4. Will Call of Duty be exclusive to Xbox?
No, Xbox never intended to take Call of Duty away from competing platforms, and there will be no exclusive skins or guns for the game on Xbox.
5. What is Xbox’s intention to acquire Activision Blizzard?
Xbox’s intention to acquire Activision Blizzard is to gain more capability on mobile for Call of Duty, build a platform to reach gamers everywhere, and provide Xbox with the talent, creativity, and IPs to help fix the weakness in mobile gaming.