Microsoft Values Sega More Than Sony And Nintendo, Says SEGA COO

The humble beginnings of gaming saw one company take charge: SEGA. With its origins going as far back as the 1940s, the company has a lot of weight within the gaming community. While gaming giants such as Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony became the biggest players in the gaming industries, SEGA continued its steady pace. Recently, executive producer Shuji Utsumi spoke of the company’s ties with Microsoft, alluding to something deeper.

SEGA’s executive producer Shuji Utsumi spoke about the company’s close ties with Microsoft. He revealed SEGA values its relationship with Microsoft more than it does with Sony or Nintendo.

SEGA reveals strong ties with Microsoft amidst the latter’s 10-year deal with Nintendo

SEGA’s close ties with Microsoft are no secret. Their past collaborations, most notably include SEGA’s Creative Studio’s hand in Xbox titles such as Age of Empires 4 as well as Halo Wars 2. Moreover, in a deal the two companies signed back in 2021, SEGA used Microsoft’s Azure platform to develop games. All of this corroborates Shuji Utsumi’s claim of significant ties with Microsoft.

During the interview, Shuji Utsumi said, “We are very close with Microsoft and have a great relationship with its management team. Microsoft particularly has a high regard for us. Xbox’s Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are really serious about values that video game fans emphasize.”

What has fans confused is the timing of it all. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced a 10-year deal with Nintendo. Under this deal, Call of Duty games would come to the platform. However, what is particularly confusing is SEGA’s long-standing competition with Nintendo. With Shuji Utsumi claiming SEGA’s ties with Microsoft are better than the latter’s ties with Nintendo, the announcement of the 10-year deal brings a big conundrum.

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During the interview, there was also talk of Microsoft purchasing SEGA. During the FTC V.S. Microsoft court hearing, there was a reveal about a possible deal. Back in 2020, Xbox Game Studios’ head Phil Spencer sought approval from Microsoft’s CEO. This approval was for the purchase of SEGA. Consequently, Shuji Utsumi flat-out declined when asked if selling the company was an option. He said, “No, not now.”

It is interesting to note Utsumi did not reveal whether an offer was made, leaving fans guessing about a deal. What are your thoughts on Utsumi’s claims? Let us know in the comments below!

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