Microsoft Downplays Bill Gates Saying He Would "Absolutely" Support Xbox Spin-Off
When the world's richest person offers an opinion on a business strategy, it's a good idea to listen to what he or she has to say. In this instance, that person happens to be Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and also currently the world's wealthiest person. In a recent interview, Gates said he would "absolutely" support Microsoft's newly minted CEO Satya Nadella's decision to spin-off the company's Xbox division, if in fact he went that route.
Gates made the comment to Fox Business, which was first picked up by Eurogamer.net. During the interview, Gates talked about bringing PC gaming and Xbox gaming closer together, and that even though spinning off the Xbox division might not be an obvious move, it's one he would support.
"So I'm sure Satya and the team will look at that. It's up to them. We're going to have an overall gaming strategy so it's not as obvious as you might think," Gates said.
Though Gates would support such a move, don't take his comments as an indication that he thinks Microsoft should go that route. When Eurogamer followed up with Microsoft, the company's Communications boss, Frank Shaw, clarified that the comments Gates made "were reflective of his support of Satya as CEO."
"As Mr. Gates noted, Microsoft is committed to gaming across multiple platforms with Xbox as the centerpiece of our gaming strategy," Shaw said. "We remain committed to Xbox and the millions of Xbox fans around the world."
Microsoft launched the Xbox One back in November of last year. Sales are outpacing the Xbox 360 during its launch several years ago, but trailing behind Sony's PlayStation 4.
Gates made the comment to Fox Business, which was first picked up by Eurogamer.net. During the interview, Gates talked about bringing PC gaming and Xbox gaming closer together, and that even though spinning off the Xbox division might not be an obvious move, it's one he would support.
"So I'm sure Satya and the team will look at that. It's up to them. We're going to have an overall gaming strategy so it's not as obvious as you might think," Gates said.
Though Gates would support such a move, don't take his comments as an indication that he thinks Microsoft should go that route. When Eurogamer followed up with Microsoft, the company's Communications boss, Frank Shaw, clarified that the comments Gates made "were reflective of his support of Satya as CEO."
"As Mr. Gates noted, Microsoft is committed to gaming across multiple platforms with Xbox as the centerpiece of our gaming strategy," Shaw said. "We remain committed to Xbox and the millions of Xbox fans around the world."
Microsoft launched the Xbox One back in November of last year. Sales are outpacing the Xbox 360 during its launch several years ago, but trailing behind Sony's PlayStation 4.
