SEGA Xbox's Phil Spencer Did Previously Consider Buying SEGA in 2020

[GX -The Spindash-]

"Will Microsoft buy SEGA" is a question that has survived within the community since the death of the Dreamcast, but after years of speculation, we now have a concrete example of them trying to do just that... but very, very recently. As reported by The Verge, an e-mail from Xbox's Phil Spencer shared during Microsoft's FTC hearing shows that Spencer was seeking approval to approach SEGA Sammy in November of 2020.

Spencer touts SEGA's portfolio and global appeal as big benefits for their Game Pass service; however, SEGA was among several companies being considered, including Supergiant Games, IO Interactive, and even Bungie. As history as borne out, none of these possible acquisitions were seen to completion, and Microsoft began pursuing Activision Blizzard following ABK's repeated scandals.

Despite the will-they-won't-they dogging Microsoft and SEGA over the years, buying SEGA comes with some complications, which Spencer acknowledges in the e-mail. Beyond the cultural barrier, SEGA is a major component of the larger SEGA Sammy group of animation studios, music labels, toy makers, travel resorts, pachinko machine makers, Japanese sports teams, and online-enabled arcade dart machine services. Even if Microsoft wasn't able to buy SEGA outright, Like a Dragon and Persona fans can still find a hearty chunk of SEGA's modern library on Game Pass.

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[juiceDpunk983]

Since Microsoft don't care about console and how gamepass will be the future, I'm glad this didn't go through.

[sonicclaasic]

I've been reading more news about this today. I will admit I do have a Xbox Series X myself and I don't do console wars. To be honest all 3 consoles are great and we should be thankful and be happier gaming and enjoying the games to.

And I do agree It's wrong what Microsoft Is doing but what can you do

[StreetSonic2022]

It seems that because they are currently trying to buy Activision so they can beat Sony in the console gaming market that they do not realize that the move will bite them in the foot.  Gamers nowadays don't like console exclusive games/stuff. It's the reason why they want cross-platforming for online gaming so it can stop the exclusivity. And didn't I recall that Xbox is not as popular in Japan?  And what about the PC gamers and Nintendo?

[CrownSlayers Shadow]

PC gamers would be fine.

Nintendo on the other hand…not sure.

[Tornado]

On 6/27/2023 at 4:24 PM, GX -The Spindash- said:

"Will Microsoft buy SEGA" is a question that has survived within the community since the death of the Dreamcast, but after years of speculation, we now have a concrete example of them trying to do just that... but very, very recently.

We had a concrete example of them doing that in 2003. People at Microsoft came out and said that was the plan when Sega started looking for a merger partner at that time and the only reason Microsoft didn't was because Bill Gates personally decided not to.

[Shiny Gems]

Here is a little more to the story in case it has not been posted yet.