“We Are Playing the Long Game” – Phil Spencer Views Nintendo and ZeniMax as Potential Mergers, as Per Leaked FTC vs. Microsoft Case Documents

Microsoft Xbox is enjoying the spoils of its triumphant victory over FTC. Their newly acquired studio, Activision Blizzard, is turning out to be a cash cow for them. While the console makers are planning the future steps with Activision, the FTC vs. Microsoft case has once again come back to haunt them.

And the most recent leak from that case is a bombshell one, to say the least. The leak has revealed Xbox was targeting another gaming giant for acquisition. However, their move was hampered due to some roadblocks, leading them to ultimately settle for Activision.

Microsoft Xbox was targeting Nintendo for acquisition

Recently, a massive amount of highly confidential and unredacted Microsoft documents leaked which were part of the FTC vs. Microsoft case. They were attached to a single file; incorrectly hidden and posted publicly. Among that file was an email from Xbox CEO Phil Spencer to Chris Capossela (CMO of Microsoft) and Takeshi Numoto (VP of Microsoft).

The email starts with Spencer agreeing with Numoto on the importance of acquiring Nintendo. Furthermore, Spencer said he was in touch with the Leadership Team of Nintendo for a collaboration. However, Microsoft could not target Nintendo solely due to the huge monetary assets of the Japanese company.

Read More: FTC vs. Microsoft Case Documents Reveal Elder Scrolls VI Will Skip PS5 and Release After 2026

Regardless, Spencer believed pushing for Nintendo stocks would be beneficial for them. He further went on to state, “I don’t think a hostile action would be a good move so we are playing the long game.” Although Xbox was looking at Nintendo for a merger, they also had eyes on other companies.

Xbox also targeted ZeniMax and Warner Bros. Games

The leaked email also contained information about ZeniMax and Warner Bros. Games being an ideal pick after Nintendo. Spencer wrote, “I won’t say WB or Zeni is Nintendo but both are for sale and gettable by us if things align.”

However, both these companies had their own drawbacks as WB Games did not come along with their IPs, and ZeniMax founders had high expectations for valuation. In the end, things did work out for Microsoft Xbox and they successfully acquired Activision Blizzard, the creators of Call of Duty and Diablo.

But the acquisition of Nintendo by Xbox would definitely have been a game changer for the gaming industry. What are your thoughts on Spencer viewing Nintendo as a potential merger option to expand their control in the gaming world? Let us know in the comment section below.

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