Xbox lead Phil Spencer addressed the gaming brand’s Tuesday leaks, which revealed internal communications about future hardware and potential acquisition targets, saying Xbox’s plans have since changed and that it will “share the real plans” when ready.
The Xbox documents revealed plans for future console hardware. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via ... [+]
The response from Spencer was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, several hours after the unredacted documents—all of which were sourced from litigation between the Federal Trade Commission and Microsoft—spread across social media.
The documents, which reveal plans to introduce new Xbox consoles and to acquire rival gaming company Nintendo, appeared to be accidentally leaked by Microsoft (which owns Xbox) and were removed from the Northern District of California’s website Tuesday.
An internal memo reported by The Verge confirmed the slip-up, with Spencer telling Microsoft employees via email the documents were “unintentionally disclosed.”
Spencer described the leak as “disappointing” but noted the documents are “well over a year old” and that Xbox’s plans had since evolved, saying later in the memo Xbox would share “the real plans with our players” when ready.
The leak included internal emails about a potential acquisition of Nintendo, the developers of the Nintendo Switch console and one of gaming’s biggest brands alongside Xbox and PlayStation. In the emails, Spencer said Microsoft was in the best position to acquire Nintendo among all U.S. companies but lamented the “unfortunate (or fortunate for Nintendo) situation is that Nintendo is sitting on a big pile of cash.” The unredacted documents also showed Xbox was preparing for the launch of a new version of its flagship Xbox Series X console, codenamed “Brooklin.” The console, which will come with a one terabyte storage upgrade, was reportedly set to release next year at $499, according to the documents. Microsoft is still attempting to close its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the video game studio behind Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Candy Crush and Diablo. The acquisition has endured several legal challenges from the FTC and is expected to close by October.
Microsoft’s stock remained relatively unfazed as news of the leak spread online, closing down a fraction of a percent at $328.65 on Tuesday.
FURTHER READING
Microsoft’s Xbox Plans Leaked—Unredacted FTC Filing Show Talks About Potential Nintendo Acquisition (Forbes)
Microsoft addresses the huge Xbox leaks: here’s Phil Spencer’s full memo (The Verge)