Phil Spencer adds a first-party Japanese Xbox studio to his Xbox Wish List

Phil Spencer has been going on a spending spree for the past couple of years, rivalling the dollar-eyed higher-ups of THQ Nordic, but he’s planning on dipping his hands into the Windows Wallet some more with the hopeful creation, or acquisition, of a Japanese Xbox studio.

With Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, Double Fine and more recently added to Xbox Game Studios family, Microsoft is certainly lacking in Eastern representation.

Head of Xbox Phil Spencer does want to remedy this with the acquisition of a Japanese studio.

“I think it would be nice if we found an Asian studio, in particular, a Japanese studio, to add,” Spencer told Games Industry. “I liked it when we had some first-party capability in Japan. We have a small team there, but I think we can do more. That said, through our trips to Japan, I love having Phantasy Star back on our stage with SEGA–I thought that was fantastic. Miyazaki-San before with Dark Souls and now Elden Ring… the Japanese creators have shown up more and more.”

Last generation, Microsoft pushed hard on offering high-quality Japanese games on the Xbox 360. Despite still not selling well in Japanese territories, the company’s support of Eastern properties like Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey created a sense that Xbox cared. With Microsoft’s recent E3 showings and the aim of a Japanese Xbox studio, Xbox may be caring again.