A new report has revealed that Microsoft actually explored the possibility of purchasing IO Interactive, SEGA, and Bungie in recent years.
Way back in 2020, it was reported by The Verge that Xbox Boss Phil Spencer emailed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the company’s CFO Amy Hood to request approval to approach SEGA Sammy with a view to acquiring its gaming studios.
“We believe that Sega has built a well-balanced portfolio of games across segments with global geographic appeal, and will help us accelerate Xbox Game Pass both on and off-console,” Spencer wrote.
“Sega is the most attractive next acquisition target due to its global PC catalog, presence on mobile in Asia, and global brand affinity on console through its classic IP.”
This particular message was included in the internal documents from Microsoft’s ongoing court case against the US Federal Trade Commission. Nadella’s response is still unclear but SEGA was listed on the M&A final watchlist document from April 2021.
The list included Bungie, which got acquired by Sony and Zynga, which also merged with Take-Two. Other studios that got scoped out for acquisition are IO Interactive, Supergiant Games, and Niantic. Thunderful, Playrix, Scopely were also considered.