Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, is in charge of Xbox and all the game studios that Microsoft has acquired over the years. Phil came to talk to us hours before the European Commission announced an in-depth investigation into Microsoft’s proposed 68.7 billion dollar acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which makes the enormous Call of Duty series, as well as Candy Crush on phones. So I had the chance to ask Phil: Will he make the concessions that regulators want in order to close this deal? And is the deal really just about Call of Duty, or something else? Is Microsoft committed to keep Call of Duty available on Playstation?Phil’s a candid guy. He’s been on Decoder before. I always enjoy talking to him, and this was a fun one.

Links:Microsoft’s Phil Spencer on the new Xbox launch - The VergeMicrosoft to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion - The VergeWhy Microsoft bought Bethesda for $7.5 billionMicrosoft announces big, multistudio push to create more Xbox exclusivesBethesda’s Starfield and Redfall have been delayed to 2023Tech antitrust pioneer Lina Khan will officially lead the FTCSony says Microsoft’s Call of Duty offer was ‘inadequate on many levels’Microsoft: Xbox game streaming console is ‘years away'This is Microsoft’s Xbox game streaming deviceGoogle is shutting down Stadia in January 2023 - The VergeRazer’s Edge is one sharp-looking cloud gaming Android handheldLogitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld review: terminally onlineSteam Deck review: it’s not readySteam Deck, one month laterTech Leaders Discuss the Metaverse’s Future | WSJ Tech Live 2022Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the business of WindowsMicrosoft partners with Meta to bring Teams, Office, Windows, and Xbox to VREU opens ‘in-depth investigation’ into Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition

Transcript:https://www.theverge.com/e/23223230

Credits:Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.It was produced by Creighton DeSimone and Jackie McDermott and it was edited by Callie Wright.The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Our Editorial Director is Brooke Minters and our Executive Director is Eleanor Donovan.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices