Xbox’s President on Handheld Consoles and Subscription Gaming

Xbox Vice President Sarah Bond had reason to be optimistic when she sat down at the desk in her Seattle home office an hour before midnight on April 25, 2023. About 15 months earlier, Microsoft Corp. had announced it was spending $69 billion to buy Activision Blizzard Inc. , the maker of Call of Duty and Candy Crush, a deal that would be the largest acquisition in the history of gaming. One of the last major barriers remaining was the UK's Competition and Markets Authority , and the regulator was scheduled to send its decision that night. Bond and her team had gathered on a video call, where the company's outside counsel for the case would share the news.

The CMA had initially raised concerns. But Microsoft made some concessions and the CMA narrowed its probe, which onlookers and company executives took as an encouraging sign. Bond's boss, Microsoft Gaming Chief Executive Officer Phil Spencer , wasn't there, opting instead to abide by his customary 10 p.m. bedtime.