Phil Spencer says there is 'no signal' from Microsoft to slow down on studio acquisitions for Xbox

Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft has acquired several studios over the last two years.
  • In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Phil Spencer talked about the process of integrating these studios.
  • Spencer also stated that there's been "no signal" from Microsoft to slow down on acquiring additional studios.

Microsoft went on a buying spree in 2018 and 2019, acquiring Double Fine Productions, Obsidian Entertainment, Playground Games and many more, bringing its first-party game development arm to 15 distinct studios. Since then, the parent company of Xbox hasn't picked up any other studios but that doesn't mean it isn't looking.

In an excellent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Microsoft's executive vice president of gaming Phil Spencer, head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty and several studio heads talked about the nature of acquiring all these different teams and how they've kept their individuality while being integrated into Microsoft.

Spencer also explained that while the team has been accomadating all these new studios, making sure each one is "on-boarded" properly and providing the support that each needed, Microsoft hasn't asked Xbox to stop looking.

"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," Spencer explained. "We're always out there talking to people. But it has to be the right opportunity."

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Samuel Tolbert
Freelance Writer

Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter @SamuelTolbert.