Xbox Boss Refutes Reports That They're Trying To Acquire Japanese Devs

The Xbox Series X and S are both available now, and Microsoft is coming into the generation with an impressive line-up of first party development studios. According to a new report by Bloomberg, the US company has been eyeing Japanese studios for potential acquisition, looking to bolster its lineup despite Xbox historically underperforming in Japan. However, in an interview with GameSpot, Xbox boss Phil Spencer says that, as far as he knows, this isn't true.

"I don't think so... I mean, I'm not in every meeting that every team has, but I'll say not from me," Spencer says.

While Spencer says that he has an "affinity" for Japanese studios, there's been no push to acquire more of them. "Most of the opportunities that we've had to date have been a long lasting relationship, and so, I don't think we're out there with our business card, throwing them out on the corner, trying to find people."

However, as part of the Bethesda deal Microsoft has acquired Shinji Mikami's studio Tango Gameworks (The Evil Within), Spencer points out. "I'm excited when the deal closes to get to spend more time with Tango and the work that they're doing," he says. But in terms of the report from Bloomberg, he says plainly: "I think that's not accurate."

Back at E3 2019, which feels like a lifetime ago now, Spencer said that Xbox would like to acquire a Japanese studio.

Spencer has previously talked about the importance of first-party games to the future of Xbox. For a couple of years, at least, games from first-party studios will also come to Xbox One, and the on-going plan is to always release on PC too.

Spencer has an eye on at least one major game being developed in Japan--Elden Ring, which he says he has played quite a bit of.

The Xbox Series X and S are available now. Check out GameSpot's coverage of Microsoft's new machines below:

• Xbox Series X review
• Xbox Series S review
• Xbox Launch Game Reviews
• Xbox Series X/S Availability For Launch Day: Where To Buy The Series X