Sega Corp. dismissed speculation it may be the target of acquirers including Microsoft Corp., as the studio behind Sonic The Hedgehog stressed it intends to remain part of a bigger Japanese entertainment conglomerate. Sega, maintains a close relationship with Xbox-maker Microsoft but will remain within Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., co-Chief Operating Officer Shuji Utsumi told Bloomberg News.
Sega Sammy’s shares rose to their highest since 2007 this week. Legal filings in the Federal Trade Commission’s suit against Microsoft revealed that the US company considered buying Sega to beef up its Xbox Game Pass subscription service.
“No, not now,” Utsumi said when asked if the company was open to acquisition talks. He declined to say whether Microsoft had made a formal approach.
Sega has strong relationships with platform owners from Sony Group Corp. and Nintendo Co. to Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. But Microsoft values Sega more than other platform operators, Utsumi said. The pair announced they will consider forming a strategic alliance in 2021 to support Sega’s initiative of developing big-budget games.
“We are very close with Microsoft and have a great relationship with its management team,” he said. “Microsoft particularly has a high regard for us. Xbox’s Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond are really serious about values that video game fans emphasize.”
Sega COO Quashes Talk of Microsoft Deal in Favor of Independence - Bloomberg
Last edited by Ryuu96 - on 29 June 2023
