Microsoft has announced that it is to sell off the Xbox brand.
The news comes after months of speculation and unconfirmed rumors that the Redmond giant was considering dropping the Xbox so that it could re-focus on PC software. In a deal estimated to be worth approximately $3.2 billion, Nintendo will gain the rights to manufacture and distribute the Xbox One, Xbox 360 and all associated games and peripherals. In addition, Phil Spencer will be joining Nintendo as head of its new Xbox Division.
“Microsoft has had great success over the years with the Xbox Home Entertainment System,” said Spencer in a statement released this morning, “but that success came at a cost. Microsoft has decided that it wants to get back to doing what it does best: PC Software and operating systems. Nintendo has a long history of innovation in the gaming space, so it made sense to approach them and ask if they would be interested in taking Xbox to the next stage of its brand evolution. I’ll be joining Nintendo as the new head of their Xbox division, and we have some exciting announcements to make in the coming months.”
Nintendo CEO, Satoru Iwata, said of the deal: “This is an exciting day for gamers and the industry. Taking on the Xbox brand will allow us to reach out like never before to people around the world and bring the joys of gaming into the home. With the Nintendo 3DS, Wii U and now the Xbox One Home Entertainment System, we are hopeful that we can continue to prove that the world of videogames is an exciting place to be in, and that we can continue to bring people together through the joys of play.”
It’s as yet unknown whether the d
eal extends to development studios such as Lionhead, or what will happen with the various exclusivity agreements between third-parties. One thing is known, however - Halo’s Master Chief is set to join the roster of Super Smash Bros. 4., due out later this year on the Wii U.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this as the story develops, and will inform you of all the latest developments.
Dale Morgan
@spamdangled
Latest posts by Dale Morgan (see all)
- Metal Gear Online will be included with MGSV: The Phantom Pain - 8 December 2024
- Halo: Spartan Strike delayed to 2015 - 8 December 2024
- The Legend of Zelda on Wii U - first gameplay shown off in new video - 6 December 2024
