- Microsoft successfully acquired Activision Blizzard on 13 October.
- A major goal of this acquisition for Microsoft was to establish Xbox as a mobile gaming competitor.
- These plans are underway, and Phil Spencer states that Microsoft is seeking partners to launch a new mobile store.
After a successful run in the console and PC gaming business, Microsoft is looking to extend its portfolio to mobile gaming. Back in March, Phil Spencer already alluded to this goal, claiming that Xbox would rival Google and Apple.
While this target might seem overly ambitious, Xbox has recently joined forces with Activision Blizzard, a company that already has a presence on the platform with the likes of Candy Crush.
Over a month after this acquisition, Phil Spencer confirms that plans are in motion to achieve this ambitious goal.
Why it matters: This statement highlights that Xbox’s ambition is further along than initially expected. Therefore, the store could launch as early as 2024.
During a recent convention, Phil Spencer reiterated these plans, asserting that the company is almost ready to launch a mobile gaming store. However, it is looking for partners interested in making these plans achievable. He said:
“We are actively working not only alone but talking to other partners.”
Microsoft has been interested in mobile gaming for the longest time, and the reason is simple. Mobile gaming accounts for a large part of Activision Blizzard King’s revenue, motivating Xbox to pursue a similar strategy.
Not too long ago, Phil Spencer expressed that mobile gaming would be key to the survival of Xbox in the future. However, with a general unfamiliarity for Microsoft, seeking partnerships will be key to a successful start for the company.
While Phil Spencer has not confirmed an exact partner yet, the likes of Tencent would be suitable. The company is a major player in the mobile gaming space, with IPs like League of Legends.
Similarly, PlayStation recently partnered with NCSoft. While this is a broad partnership, one major goal of the collaboration has to do with mobile gaming
In addition to its presence in mobile gaming, Xbox hopes to continue its role as a publisher. This will include games on all platforms, extending to rival platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo as well.
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[News Reporter]
Bawal is an MBBS student by day and a gaming journalist by night. He has been gaming since childhood, growing fond of the creativity and innovation of the industry. His career as a gaming journalist started one year ago, and his journey has allowed him to write reviews, previews, and features for various sites. Bawal has also been cited in reputed websites such as Screenrant, PCGamesN, WCCFTech, GamesRadar, and more.
