Microsoft plans to accelerate acquisition of game company

According to Bloomberg, Xbox representative Phil Spencer revealed that Microsoft intends to acquire developers of casual games and social games. The company wants to add more casual games and increase the diverse appeal. “When I think of the types of games that are connected to Xbox, we think of Roblox, Minecraft, FIFA, Fortnite, etc. But the company wanted more social games beyond the existing offerings.” he said.

Microsoft plans to accelerate acquisition of game company

Spencer said expanding more games is important for companies like Microsoft. They are looking for the right content, adding innovative creators to be able to break through. Microsoft has spent more than $10 billion over the past seven years buying video game companies including Minecraft maker Mojang and Bethesda Softworks.

With Microsoft still unable to meet demand for Xbox consoles because of a chip shortage, Spencer said the company is looking to diversify geographically where the hardware is made to avoid this problem in the future.

“Supply chain diversification is something we really value at Microsoft and Xbox. The company also makes some decisions with its supply chain partners to ensure that supply is not disrupted for many months,” Spencer said.

In fact, this isn’t the first time Spencer has said Microsoft needs to increase production of first-party casual games. As early as October 2020, Xbox Director spoke to foreign media about this issue.

Recently, DDM reported on the situation of game investment as well as the purchase and sale of game companies taking place in 2021 with “terrible investment speed”. Investments have doubled and game company mergers and acquisitions tripled this year, the report said.

The results show that the game market is really active, witnessing many billion-dollar deals between the “big guys” in the game industry buying up subsidiaries, as well as buying higher shares of other companies’ shares. 2020 levels.

Another Blizzard executive resigns

Mike Ybarra, the former Xbox CEO who took over the role alongside Oneal, will now be the sole head of the studio. The decision takes effect immediately. Activision Blizzard has also announced that Jen Oneal will step down as co-leader of Blizzard, which she began in August with Mike Ybarra.

Ybarra would later become the sole leader of Blizzard. He and Oneal took the helm following the departure of J. Allen Brack as Blizzard president. The incident came after the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued Activision Blizzard over gender discrimination in the workplace.

Oneal is the head of Vicarious Visions, brought into Blizzard by Activision. She has worked at Activision for over 20 years.

Oneal is leaving Activision Blizzard to focus on bringing more diversity to the gaming industry. Activision has a $1 million endowment for Women in Games International in her honor.

“Doing this [resigning] is not because I have no hope in Blizzard. Quite the contrary, I am inspired by the passion of everyone here, working towards lasting and meaningful change with all their hearts.” – Oneal shared in the letter. hand.

“The energy here has inspired me to step out and explore how I can do more to bring games and diversity together and hopefully make a bigger impact in the gaming industry. This will benefit Blizzard (and other game studios). While I’m not entirely sure, I’m excited to embark on a new journey to find out.”

Before leaving Activision Blizzard later this year, Oneal will hand over the work to Ybarra and work in a new role.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said of Oneal’s departure in an interview: “I believe in Jen’s leadership. I think she really wanted to go out and help transform the industry. Her mission in life is to make great games and change the game world. The world is a better place when there are more women in the gaming industry.”

Activision Blizzard has undergone significant changes since it was sued in July. Former Blizzard President J. Allen Brack (who replaced Ybarra and Oneal) and former Global Head of Human Resources Jesse Meschuck have left the company. company in early August. The company’s chief legal officer left in September. And Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick took a big pay cut last week.

In addition to the personnel changes, the company has halted plans for BlizzConline 2021 and made changes to its game. Blizzard has changed the name of Overwatch’s Jesse McCree, named after a former lead designer.

Activision Blizzard has also announced Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 are delayed once again.