This week it was reported that Microsoft wanted to buy the SEGA publishing house. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer spoke to the heads of the SEGA acquisition corporation in November 2020, according to data released as part of the Microsoft and FTC trial. But it didn’t come to a deal, however, in 2021 it became known about the “strategic alliance” between Microsoft and SEGA.
Bloomberg Japan on June 29 received a comment from Shuji Utsumi, vice president and chief operating officer of SEGA. He stated that the company is currently not interested in being able to join a larger corporation. Regarding the relationship with Microsoft, Utsumi said that it is still good and “very close”.
As game development costs rise, there is more talk in Japan that SEGA might need to join the bigger player. At present, the future of pachislots (gaming machines), which are SEGA’s main business, remains uncertain, which may make it difficult for the company to build long-term strategies based on profits from them.
It is worth saying that against the backdrop of news about a possible merger with Microsoft, the value of Sega Sami H shares rose, reaching its highest level since February 2007.
