Microsoft Was Considering Nintendo Acquisition in 2020, as Per Leaked Internal Emails

gamingbolt.com:

Microsoft has made major moves in the acquisitions space over the last couple of years, having acquired Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax for $7.5 billion, and currently being in the process of acquiring Activision Blizzard in a massive deal worth $69 billion. Interestingly enough, another company that Microsoft seems to have its eyes on as a long-term prospect is none other than Nintendo.

That information comes courtesy of leaked internal emails (via ResetEra), emerging as part of Microsoft’s trials against the FTC, which show a conversation regarding the potential of acquiring the Japanese giant between Xbox boss Phil Spencer and Microsoft’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer Takeshi Numoto.

“I totally agree that Nintendo is THE prime asset for us in gaming, and today, gaming is our most likely path to consumer relevance,” Spencer wrote in the email in question, which you can view in full below. “I’ve had numerous conversations with the LT of Nintendo about tighter collaboration and feel like if any US company would have a chance with Nintendo, we are probably in the best position.”

Spencer went on to note that, with Nintendo’s Board of Directors not pushing “for further increase in market growth or stock appreciation”, an acquisition in the short-term is unlikely, however, Microsoft board member Mason Morfit, who is the president of ValueAct, has been “heavily acquiring” Nintendo shares, which could “create opportunities” for Microsoft in the future.

Interestingly, as per Spencer, Microsoft is “playing the long game” where a Nintendo acquisition is concerned, especially with the company being reluctant to initiate a hostile takeover, while Valve is also a an acquisition target.

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