Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has recently commented on the company’s partnership with Microsoft, which has been the subject of speculation and rumors after some leaked emails revealed that Xbox boss Phil Spencer had expressed interest in acquiring Nintendo in the past.
No Bad Blood Between Nintendo and Microsoft
Bowser, in an interview with Inverse, said that Nintendo has a “great relationship” with Microsoft and considers them to be “partners in many, many ways”. He cited examples of how this partnership has been evident on the Nintendo Switch platform, such as the presence of Minecraft, one of the most popular games in the world, and the inclusion of Banjo Kazooie, a classic Nintendo character, in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
He also said that he is looking forward to that partnership continuing in the future, without giving any specific details or hints about what that might entail. Bowser did not address the leaked emails directly, but he seemed to imply that there was no animosity or resentment between the two companies.
Microsoft’s Ambitious Plans for Gaming
The leaked emails, which were published inadvertently last month as part of a legal dispute between Apple and Epic Games, potentially exposed some of Microsoft’s gaming strategy for years to come. Among other things, they revealed that Spencer had told a colleague in 2020 that he believed that acquiring Nintendo would be a “career moment” and a “good move for both companies”. He also said that Microsoft’s board was “fully supportive” of such a deal if the opportunity arose.
Spencer’s email also suggested that he thought that Nintendo’s future depended on moving away from its own hardware and embracing other platforms. He wrote: “It’s just taking a long time for Nintendo to see that their future exists off of their own hardware. A long time.”
Spencer later responded to the widespread coverage of the confidential materials on Twitter, saying that “so much has changed” since they were created and that he would share the real plans when he was ready.
What Does This Mean for Gamers?
While it is unlikely that Nintendo will ever agree to sell itself to Microsoft or any other company, the fact that the two gaming giants have a cordial and cooperative relationship is good news for gamers. It means that they can expect more cross-platform games, features, and services that enhance their gaming experience and offer them more choices and options.
For example, earlier this year, Microsoft signed a “binding 10-year legal agreement” to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms if it completed its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which finally closed last week. This means that Nintendo fans will be able to enjoy one of the most popular franchises in gaming history on their Switch consoles.
Another possible benefit of the partnership is the integration of Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription service that offers access to hundreds of games, on Nintendo Switch. This would allow Switch owners to play games that are not available on their native platform, such as Halo, Gears of War, Forza, and many more. While this has not been confirmed or announced by either company, there have been rumors and speculations about it for a long time.
In conclusion, Nintendo and Microsoft seem to have a “great relationship” that benefits both companies and gamers alike. Whether this will lead to more collaborations or acquisitions in the future remains to be seen, but it is clear that both companies are committed to delivering quality games and services to their customers.
