Activision Blizzard acquisition is 'in the best interest of gamers', says Xbox boss

techradar.com:

According to Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard is a move that intends to serve gamers by keeping their needs firmly in sight.

Microsoft’s proposed merger with triple-A gaming studio Activision Blizzard has seen the company battling concerns that the merger would do more harm to the gaming industry than good. But, in an interview for the podcast Second Request(opens in new tab), Spencer explained that, despite scrutiny from regulatory bodies, he believes that Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of the Call of Duty publisher will ultimately benefit gamers if allowed to go ahead. 

“From the beginning of me being in this role, thinking about how we’re going to grow Xbox and what our role is in gaming, we’ve tried to put the gamer at the center of all our decisions,” Spencer said. “To me, it seems the regulator [opposing the merger] is looking out for what’s best for consumers, but this deal is in the best interest of gamers.”

Among the fears of US and European regulators alike are complaints that Microsoft would actively impede their rivals’ business, preventing Sony or Nintendo console users from accessing Activision flagship titles by turning them into Xbox exclusives.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the proposed merger with Activision Blizzard arose after it acquired Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax in 2021: whether Microsoft will end up taking major titles away from other consoles. In the interview with Second Request, Spencer used the ZeniMax merger as an example of how Microsoft has no intention of doing this with Activision Blizzard titles.

“All of the ZeniMax games we said would ship on PS5, we have,” he said, referencing how Microsoft has continued to support