An internal email from Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox at Microsoft, has recently been leaked, suggesting that the company has considered acquiring Nintendo. The email, which was revealed as part of leaked documents from the FTC Vs. Microsoft case, provides surprising insight into Spencer’s thoughts on the matter.
Spencer expresses that acquiring Nintendo would be a significant career moment and believes that it could be a beneficial move for both companies. However, he acknowledges the challenges of such an acquisition, particularly because Nintendo is financially strong, sitting on a substantial cash reserve.
The email also mentions that a former Microsoft board member, ValueAct, has been acquiring significant stock in Nintendo. This could potentially create opportunities for Microsoft in terms of collaboration or partnership.
Despite his interest in acquiring Nintendo, Spencer emphasizes that a hostile takeover would not be a wise move. He suggests that without a catalyst or significant change in circumstances, the chances of an acquisition in the short term are unlikely. Interestingly, he adds that Nintendo needs to realize that their future may lie beyond their own hardware, despite the remarkable success of the Nintendo Switch at the time of the email.
It’s worth noting that Microsoft had reportedly approached Nintendo with a buyout offer in the past, which was met with amusement from Nintendo. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether a potential acquisition of Nintendo by Microsoft will ever come to fruition.
In conclusion, while Phil Spencer’s email reveals an intriguing consideration of acquiring Nintendo, it is uncertain whether it will ever become a reality. Nintendo’s success and financial strength, along with the cautious approach outlined by Spencer, make it all the more unlikely.
