Photo: Kevork Djansezian / Kotaku (Getty Images)
Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, just lately described the progress of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard as heading in a “positive direction,” as the corporate awaits regulatory approval of the deal that will see it proudly owning wildly well-liked franchises comparable to Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. He additionally believes that we’re more likely to see exclusives play “less and less” of a job within the console area transferring ahead. These feedback come after Xbox just lately acquired Bethesda Softworks—making upcoming, extremely anticipated video games like Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI console-exclusive to Xbox—and seeks to finalize the aforementioned Activision deal.
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In a preview of an interview with Bloomberg’s Emily Chang as a consequence of air tonight on Bloomberg Studio 1.0 at 9:00 p.m. ET, Phil Spencer touched on a wide range of subjects, together with the corporate’s current strikes to amass Activision Blizzard, the scrutiny of Activision’s documented tradition of sexual harassment, the unionization efforts seen at Activision, and the way he believes that the very idea of exclusives is because of go the way in which of the dinosaur.
Commenting on Xbox’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Spencer mentioned that whereas he’s by no means completed a “70 billion-dollar deal,” he’s optimistic that it’s all going based on plan. Team Green has just lately gone on a spending spree, shopping for up Bethesda, the corporate that produced legendary titles like The Elder Scrolls collection and the current Fallout sequels, earlier than setting its sights on the CoD writer. Spencer additionally believes that the expertise of players not with the ability to play the identical video games collectively on-line as a result of they “bought the wrong piece of plastic to plug into [the] television” is an outdated idea. He’s beforehand pledged to maintain Call of Duty as a multiplatform title for at the least some time frame, saying within the new interview:
“We really love to be able to bring more players in reducing friction, making people feel safe, secure when they’re playing, allowing them to find their friends, play with their friends, regardless of what device—I think in the long run that is good for this industry.”
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Speaking of individuals feeling secure and safe, Spencer additionally acknowledged that he believes Activision Blizzard is “committed” to bettering the corporate’s wretched fame regarding sexual harassment. Stating that he is aware of some “studio leaders” at Activision Blizzard “very well,” and that “some of them [are] former Xbox members,” he commented that they’re dedicated to the “journey” of addressing systemic points surrounding sexual assault and harassment within the office.
The full interview is scheduled to air later tonight, which can supply some extra context for Spencer’s feedback, together with the need to amass extra content material for Xbox.