Xbox Was Interested in Acquiring Nintendo Again

Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, expressed a strong interest in the potential acquisition of Nintendo. In an email dated August 2020, which surfaced as part of the FTC v. Microsoft lawsuit, Spencer underscored Nintendo's pivotal role within the gaming industry, characterizing it as a "prime asset." He firmly believed that an acquisition of Nintendo would not only constitute a significant milestone in his career but also offer mutually beneficial prospects for both companies.

These emails were brought to light within the context of the lawsuit. Takeshi Numoto, one of Microsoft's executives, initiated the conversation via email, using the subject line "random thought" to inquire why Microsoft wasn't actively pursuing acquisition targets such as Nintendo to bolster their presence and relevance in the gaming sector.

In response, Spencer detailed his extensive discussions with Nintendo's leadership team regarding the possibility of closer collaboration. He asserted that Microsoft held a unique position among U.S. companies for pursuing such a partnership with Nintendo. Furthermore, Spencer conveyed that Microsoft's board of directors had thoroughly assessed proposals related to both Nintendo and Valve, expressing their full support in the event of an opportunity arising. He also disclosed that the company was actively engaged in merger and acquisition discussions, including those concerning ZeniMax Media (resulting in a deal announced a month later) and Warner Brothers Interactive (which did not come to fruition).

Source The Verge