Microsoft has always stated that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard King is mainly to occupy a place in the mobile game field. Today, PhilSpencer explores this topic further. In a recent Xbox Podcast, Spencer said that if Microsoft doesn't succeed in mobile gaming, the company's importance in the gaming market will decline because the mobile gaming market is larger than the console and PC markets.
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"I'm looking forward to learning about mobile gaming," Spencer said. "The reality is, if you want to continue to be relevant in the global gaming market, you have to find a way to stay relevant on the biggest platform, and that platform is mobile."
Now Microsoft has successfully acquired ABK, a company that owns "Candy Crush Saga", "Diablo Immortal", "Call of Duty Mobile" and other works. These may have nothing to do with Microsoft's existing plans for the mobile game field, including Microsoft's own mobile game store.
"It's critical for us to deliver on our promise of getting more than 3 billion people to play video games, and to reach more and more people, especially people who only play mobile games, who find that Xbox is fun for them."
This does not mean that all Microsoft’s games should be made into mobile games (this is what Activision Blizzard has previously said it will do). Spencer said Microsoft's ability to operate in multiple different business areas is an advantage.
"That doesn't mean I want all of our franchises to be mobile, or that everything will be free-to-play. I think the diversity of distribution and business models that we have is a strength of the platform."
Microsoft sells games, launches the subscription plan XGP, and operates free games. Next, through the acquisition of ABK, it will further invest in the mobile game market to pursue potential huge profits.
"We have to stay relevant on the mobile gaming platform. You can't plan for the future on a platform that doesn't involve the majority of people playing games."
Spencer also revealed the background of Microsoft's acquisition of ABK. Some time ago, he and Microsoft CFO Amy Hood studied the market and identified the largest player in the mobile gaming field, which was ABK.