Microsoft Corporation's gaming business is seeking new acquisitions, targeting the Asian market and the mobile gaming sector.

After a challenging year, Phil Spencer, the head of video games at Microsoft Corporation (MSFT.US), recently detailed the future plans of Microsoft Corporation in the gaming field in an interview. Spencer stated that Microsoft Corporation is still considering more acquisitions and is committed to competing and cooperating in the handheld gaming device and mobile store markets, while increasing "geographical diversity" in regions such as Asia. He mentioned that acquiring another mobile company will add new content to the games acquired from the $6.9 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year. Currently, Microsoft Corporation is actively seeking suitable teams, technologies, and capabilities to expand its presence in the gaming market. While there are no immediate plans for large-scale acquisitions, Spencer emphasized that Microsoft Corporation will remain vigilant and ready to seize market opportunities. Regarding geographical expansion, Spencer specifically mentioned the importance of the Chinese market. He stated that Microsoft Corporation hopes to diversify its game development teams through strengthened cooperation with China. To this end, Microsoft Corporation has partnered with Tencent Limited to jointly launch a new mobile version of "Empire Age". Spencer believes this is a great opportunity to learn from Chinese creative teams with unique capabilities and achieve global development. In addition to geographical expansion, Spencer also revealed Microsoft Corporation's interest in handheld gaming devices. He mentioned that Microsoft Corporation is developing prototypes and plans to launch its own handheld gaming device in the coming years. Spencer also called on the team to observe the market and develop a vision based on the knowledge gained. Regarding the mobile store, Spencer mentioned that due to deeper market research conducted by Microsoft Corporation, the planned launch of the mobile games online store in July has been delayed. He revealed that Microsoft Corporation is still in talks with mobile developers to devise more comprehensive plans. Spencer emphasized the need for online stores to provide a unique experience for players and attract content creators. Meanwhile, Microsoft Corporation is preparing for a more open world for Xbox on Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc. Class C mobile devices. It is worth mentioning that Spencer is confident about the current state and future of the Xbox business. He pointed out that the Xbox business is performing well, with cloud gaming, PC gaming, and console usage all continuing to grow. He believes that this means Xbox hardware and games developed by Microsoft Corporation will have a healthier future. When discussing competition with Sony and Nintendo, Spencer expressed satisfaction with the results of releasing Xbox games on PlayStation and Switch, and plans to do more similar things in the future. He stressed that Microsoft Corporation will not exclude any games but hopes to offer more choices to players. Despite the adjustments made by Microsoft Corporation, including layoffs and closures of game design studios, after acquiring Activision Blizzard in the past year, Spencer is confident about the prospects for 2025. He believes that as the market continues to change and develop, Microsoft Corporation needs to be creative and adapt to new business models, devices, and ways of acquisition to attract new players. He particularly mentioned that Microsoft Corporation will not rely on high-priced game consoles to expand the market, but will explore more diversified development paths. In conclusion, Microsoft Corporation's future plans in the gaming field cover various aspects such as geographical expansion, handheld gaming devices, mobile stores, and competition and cooperation with other platforms. Spencer stated that Microsoft Corporation will continue to maintain innovation and flexibility to address the constantly changing market and challenges.