Microsoft has been seeing itself in the headlines lately, although not for the best reasons. The Federal Trade Commission (FTD) withdrew their lawsuit against Microsoft following their attempt to acquire Blizzard Inc. in July 2023. Now, leaked emails and documents from the case have come to light. From revealing that Elder Scrolls VI will not be on the PlayStation, to the next-gen Xbox console, the emails are full of upcoming, but yet to be officially announced, plans. The leaks also revealed that Microsoft has been interested in buying Nintendo, and this isn’t the first time they’ve tried.
In 1999, Microsoft wanted to join the console gaming industry. The Xbox would not make its debut for another two years, and Microsoft was searching for developers to buy out. They set hopes high on acquiring Nintendo, whose hardware was inferior to their competitor Sony. In January 2000, Microsoft invited Nintendo to their office to pitch their idea: they would handle the hardware while Nintendo continued making the software. Unfortunately for Microsoft, the meeting did not go well. Speaking to Bloomberg, Kevin Bachus, a director for third-party relations regarding Xbox, recalled Nintendo “just laughed their asses off.”
The leaked email, dated August 2020, shows Microsoft Gaming’s latest CEO, Phil Spencer, would still like to purchase Nintendo. Referring to Nintendo as “THE prime asset,” Spencer writes that following several conversations with Nintendo’s Leadership Team, he feels “if any US company would have a chance with Nintendo we are probably in the best position.” The email also mentions desires of acquiring Valve and discusses the then-current attempt to acquire Warner Bros. Interactive and Elder Scrolls developer ZeniMax, the latter of which was successfully purchased for $7.5 billion in 2021.
Nintendo has not yet commented on these emails or discussed a potential buyout, although seeing how Spencer refers to them “sitting on a big pile of cash” and their reaction back in 2000, Microsoft’s acquisition dreams will likely stay dreams for now.