Microsoft’s Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, has shared insights into the company’s plans for leveraging Activision Blizzard’s vast library of classic titles following the high-profile acquisition. In a recent interview on the Official Xbox Podcast, Spencer emphasized the importance of being responsible custodians of the gaming content that has left indelible marks on players across various platforms and decades.
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard has granted Microsoft access to an extensive portfolio of gaming franchises, encompassing iconic titles such as Call of Duty, Diablo, Warcraft, Starcraft, Overwatch, Crash Bandicoot, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. This diverse collection includes both modern releases like Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and cherished classic titles, including the beloved platformer Spyro the Dragon and the seminal real-time strategy game Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos.
Phil Spencer expressed both excitement and humility regarding the wealth of gaming franchises now under Microsoft’s purview. He acknowledged the substantial scope of opportunities presented by this expansive array of games, both past and present: “The amount of franchises that we now have in our portfolio is kind of inspiring, it’s daunting. There’s just an amazing trove of things that we can go and touch again.”
However, Spencer emphasized that revisiting older titles would not be a casual endeavor. He affirmed his commitment to ensuring that any efforts to revisit classic franchises are undertaken with utmost dedication and a motivated team. The objective is to create meaningful contributions rather than merely capitalizing on the titles for financial gain or public relations purposes: “I want to make sure that when we’re going back and visiting something, that we do it with our complete ability, a motivated team that wants to go work on something and make a difference, not just create something for financial gain or create something for a PR announcement and not deliver on the product.”
Addressing the potential role of the Xbox Game Pass platform in the revitalization of older franchises, Spencer acknowledged that there is room for improvement in this regard. He assessed the progress Microsoft has made thus far: “I think we’ve done an OK job as Xbox, I don’t think we’ve done an A+ job on looking at our franchises and revisiting them. It’s always a trade-off between what do you do that’s new and going back and doing something.”
To address this challenge, Spencer hinted at potential new plans for Game Pass, suggesting the possibility of selecting a few franchises each year for a more comprehensive revisit. While the specifics remain undisclosed, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard is poised to provide opportunities for preserving and revitalizing classic gaming titles—a significant step in an era where game preservation remains a pressing concern.
As the gaming community eagerly awaits further announcements and initiatives related to the acquisition, it is evident that Microsoft is committed to honoring the legacy of these cherished franchises while exploring innovative ways to breathe new life into them.
