Xbox’s Phil Spencer thinks he’s going to buy Nintendo, is completely oblivious

Phil Spencer, the main man over at Xbox, has his eyes locked on none other than Nintendo. No, you didn’t misread. This surprising tidbit, worthy of being front-page gossip, spilled from an email exchange made public during the whole Activision-Blizzard merger spectacle. In it, Spencer mused that roping in Nintendo would be nothing short of “a career moment” for him. Ambitious, to say the least.

As the story unfolds, it seems Microsoft, ever the tech titan with an expansive appetite, is hungrily eyeing more gaming studios to add to its roster. And even with such corporate hunger, Nintendo remains unfazed, steadfastly resisting any such advances from Microsoft. I mean, talk about playing hard to get!

here’s where things get pretty hilarious. Spencer seems rather confident, suggesting that if any U.S. company were poised to win over Nintendo, Microsoft would be at the front of the line. Additionally, there’s chatter about a former Microsoft Board of Directors member, ValueAct, increasingly snapping up Nintendo shares (about 2% or 2.6 million shares at this time). The intention? Potentially nudging the gaming giant toward better stock performance.

I love this discussion and value you looking at the opportunities here. At some point, getting Nintendo would be a career moment and I honestly believe a good move for both companies. It’s just taking a long time for Nintendo to see that their future exists off of their own hardware. A long time…. 🙂

Phil Spencer

But let’s pause and consider the legacy that is Nintendo. This isn’t just another tech brand; it’s a cultural phenomenon that’s spanned generations. To even hint at the idea of it being tossed into a shopping cart like another acquisition is, frankly, laughable. Where Nintendo stands as a beacon of culture, innovation, and a palpable connection with its fandom, Microsoft’s aura feels starkly different.

This whole saga brings to mind a biting observation from none other than Steve Jobs, who once said about Microsoft, “The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no taste. They have absolutely no taste. And I don’t mean that in a small way, I mean that in a big way, in the sense that they don’t think of original ideas, and they don’t bring much culture into their products.”

Harsh, yet the sentiment seems spot on for how Microsoft has painted itself in the gaming landscape. Sure, Game Pass may be a gold mine for them (even if it is hurting the industry), and they’re slowly improving their image, but this statement just tanks my perception of the company once more.

The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no taste. They have absolutely no taste. And I don’t mean that in a small way, I mean that in a big way, in the sense that they don’t think of original ideas, and they don’t bring much culture into their products…

…They are like McDonalds.

Steve Jobs

Let’s pivot back to our indie devs. A potential acquisition of this magnitude could unsettle the nurturing environment that Nintendo has crafted for indie titles. Yet, my message to indie devs remains the same: I believe Nintendo’s roots run deep, and their path forward isn’t about abandoning their cherished hardware or values as a company, especially when you consider the Japanese culture and approach to business. This leaked email is sure to ruin relationships between Microsoft and Nintendo.

To wrap it all up, it’s genuinely amusing that such a conversation even made it to the public. It offers an intriguing peek into the grand aspirations of gaming moguls. But for now, indie devs, continue creating magic, and as for Phil Spencer? Perhaps it’s time to recalibrate that “career moment” compass. Because this dream? It’s a long shot, and honestly, downright comical.