Microsoft focusing on Android instead of Switch

E3 2019 - This past year, rumors have been stirring for Microsoft to bring the Games Pass to the Nintendo Switch, and while that at first seems like a fantastic idea for gamers it isn't Microsoft's first priority.

According to an interview with Giant Bomb, Microsoft's CEO, Phil Spencer sat down with the channel to discuss Microsoft's future with Nintendo. Spencer was asked if we would ever see the Games Pass come to the handheld console, and he replied with "I have said over time I'd like to take Game Pass everywhere. I saw somebody joke I'd put Game Pass on the toaster if I could - I don't know about that".

Spencer continued and said that Microsoft are focussed on the "streaming side, at least, on Android" because the Nintendo Switch platform is very different from an Xbox platform. Spencer says that the relationship between Microsoft and Nintendo are good and examples of that are the recent inclusion of Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Minecraft Dungeons.

Spencer continues to explain Microsoft's future gameplan with the Games Pass, he says "I love what Switch is, but the opportunity globally to focus on an Android platform is just such a natural first move for us. And frankly, it will take us quite a while to work through that, so that's the focus for us right now".

Here is his full statement to the question:

"I have said over time I'd like to take Game Pass everywhere. I saw somebody joke I'd put Game Pass on the toaster if I could - I don't know about that. We're focused on the streaming side, at least, on Android, just because in some ways it's the hardest for us because it's so diverse in terms of the number of devices."

"I love the role that Nintendo plays in the industry. I love the fact that Minecraft Dungeons was announced there and we have really good relationships with them, and obviously Banjo in Smash. But that platform is different enough from an Xbox platform that it's not trivial for us just to say, 'Okay, all those games would run there'. So then you're like, 'Okay, are we gonna stream the games to there?' I love what Switch is, but the opportunity globally to focus on an Android platform is just such a natural first move for us."

"And frankly, it will take us quite a while to work through that, so that's the focus for us right now. But I want to have the best console experience because of what it gives you. I want you to be sitting on the couch with an amazing experience - it sounds great, I have access to any game that I want to play, and if I want to take that while I'm on the go, I think the Switch is a really cool platform for that. It's just that in the near-term, it's kind of hard for us to prioritize different than we are today."