The documents were released online as part of the proceedings of the ongoing trial between Microsoft and the FTC over the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The submitted evidence includes internal memos, emails, and other documents.
One of the submitted emails, dated to November 2020, shows Xbox head Phil Spencer directly approaching Microsoft CFO Amy Hood and CEO Satya Nadella to request their approval for Xbox to pursue acquisition of Sega’s 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 said in the email.dated to May 2021, plans for mergers and acquisitions were outlined. The company had identified over 100 studios, including Sega, as possible targets for acquisition, with the goal being to address gaps they had identified in the company’s business model.
Based on a variety of criteria, the presentation explains that Xbox narrowed down their list to eight studios which would best address these issues if acquired. These studios were Thunderful, Supergiant Games (