A lot can change in a day, much more so in four years. But, the internet never forgets, no matter how much you regret what you said many years ago.
This is what Microsoft and Xbox, specifically, the Head of Xbox Game Studios, Matt Booty, is finding out right now.
A 2019 email exchange between Booty and Xbox CFO Tim Stuart, exposed Microsoft and its combative approach to getting content for Xbox Game Pass and outpace competitors. Booty confidently stated, "We are in a very unique position to be able to go spend Sony out of business." A bold claim that reveals Microsoft's firm belief in their financial supremacy over Sony, emphasizing their readiness to use this advantage to get ahead in the game streaming business.
Despite the fierce tone of this exchange, Microsoft executives, including Phil Spencer, Sarah Bond, and Pete Hines, have all expertly handled the FTC's questions. They've maintained a strong stance on the legality of their acquisition of Activision Blizzard and have consistently underscored its potential benefits for the gaming community. The contradictions between the aggressive content of the email and the company's official stance, however, are a source of intrigue and speculation.
The same email by Matt Booty further underscores Microsoft's awareness of their position in the gaming industry, stating, "Sony is really the only other player who could compete." It seems clear that, in Microsoft's eyes, the gaming landscape was, and likely still is, a two-horse race.