Microsoft's Vision for Gaming: Creating a United, Cross-Platform Ecosystem

In the wake of Microsoft's groundbreaking acquisition of Activision Blizzard, we've all been left wondering what's next for the direction of this tech titan? Recently, more rumors have surfaced - ranging from Hi-Fi Rush going cross-platform to Sea of Thieves expanding to the Nintendo Switch.

But the core message is clear: It feels like Xbox is looking to take its titles beyond just one console.

Well, just days ago, Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, addressed these curiosities in an interview with Bloomberg, shedding light on the company's aspirations to excel as a "good publisher" across various platforms, including those of rivals like Nintendo.

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Satya Nadella Talks AI, Tech, and Microsoft's Vision for Gaming in Recent Interview

The full interview on Bloomberg Live can be found below. If you're interested in getting to the more relevant, Nintendo portion, skip ahead to the next section!

Microsoft's Cross-Platform Gaming Strategy

Nadella’s remarks emphasize Microsoft's enduring passion for gaming, a journey that predates even the advent of Windows. He acknowledges that prior to the Activision acquisition, Microsoft was not at the forefront of the gaming industry. However, this recent merger is seen as a pivotal step towards elevating their status in the gaming world, not just within their Xbox ecosystem but also on other platforms such as Sony, Nintendo, and PC.

"We love gaming. In fact, Microsoft Flight Simulator was born even before Windows. But, we were number three, number four. And now with Activision, I think we have a chance of being a good publisher - quite frankly - on Sony, Nintendo, PCs, and Xbox. - Satya Nadella, Bloomberg News Interview

Call of Duty's Cross-Platform Play

This isn't merely theoretical. Microsoft has already set a precedent for this kind of cross-platform cooperation.

A notable example is the decision to continue releasing titles from the Activision franchise, including the massively popular Call of Duty series, on rival platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo; with a potential for the next installment to release on the next-gen Nintendo console. This move, slated to continue for at least the next decade, demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to a more inclusive gaming landscape.