Xbox's Phil Spencer Is Worried About Google, Amazon, And Facebook In Gaming Space

thegamer.com:

Microsoft's purchase of Activision is still making waves. Everyone wants to know what this means for the games industry going forward, and Xbox head Phil Spencer is all too happy to give us his insights.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Spencer discussed the immediate effects of what Microsoft buying Activision would mean, and that's gaining access to a lot of abandoned IPs.

Related: Activision Games Will Be Soon Be Exclusive And You Need To Get Over It

"I was looking at the IP list, I mean, let’s go!” Spencer told the publication. "‘King’s Quest,’ ‘Guitar Hero.’ ... I should know this but I think they got ‘HeXen.’"

Hexen too, but also Crash Bandicoot, Tony Hawk, and Spyro will soon fall under Microsoft's growing umbrella--provided the acquisition meets regulatory approval, which isn't entirely a sure thing.

Purchasing Activision also grants Microsoft a bulwark against other tech giants encroaching in the gaming space. As the largest acquisition in gaming history by far, it declares Microsoft as a gaming company, now and forever. And it also takes a history publisher away from those tech giants who might not be as charitable as Microsoft.

“Nintendo’s not going to do anything that damages gaming in the long run because that’s the business they’re in. Sony is the same and I trust them," said Spencer. "Valve’s the same way." But Google, Amazon, and Meta (parent company of Facebook) have a mixed history with gaming. Amazon has canceled several games and even New World seems to be struggling after its initial success. Meta wants to fill the metaverse with ads, while Google doesn't seem to know what it wants out of gaming.

Microsoft could indeed be a pioneer for the coming metaverse, as Spencer revealed how his