The Xbox head has reportedly attempted to reassure members of the Xbox team that the cancellation of the Activision Blizzard deal will not negatively impact the overall success of Xbox.
The head of Xbox Phil Spencer reportedly addressed the company's staff last week regarding the UK's move to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, aiming to provide reassurance to the employees about the future of the company's gaming division.
According to a recent report from Bloomberg, Spencer emphasized Microsoft's dedication to finalizing the deal despite acknowledging the negative effects of the recent events, adding that Microsoft and Activision Blizzard intend to file an appeal.
Spencer reportedly informed employees that Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard is set to accelerate its gaming strategy but does not represent the entirety of the company's approach to gaming. He added that their gaming plans will continue to progress, even in the absence of the popular franchises Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush.
It is worth noting that this information is based on an account from someone who allegedly attended the meeting, and no direct quotations are available. However, it is not the first time that Spencer has made public statements indicating that the fate of Xbox does not hinge on the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
For instance, in February, he mentioned that despite the significance of Microsoft's proposed purchase of Activision Blizzard, it is not a "linchpin" for the future of the company and that if regulators were to prevent the deal, Xbox's gaming division would continue to exist.
Spencer's remarks arrive at a challenging moment for Xbox, as its console sales have faced difficulties. Last week, Microsoft revealed a decrease of 4% in gaming revenue and a decline of 30% in Xbox hardware revenue. Given the lack of significant exclusive titles in recent times and stagnating Game Pass growth on consoles, Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard was seen as an essential boost to its gaming pursuits, especially with stiff competition from Sony and Nintendo.
You can find Bloomberg's report here. Also, don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.