Phil Spencer hopes gaming does to Microsoft what music did to Apple

Newly-appointed head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, hopes that gaming will help Microsoft re-emerge as a consumer company, similar to how Apple changed with music and iTunes.

Speaking to Microsoft's Major Nelson in the video interview we posted last week, Spencer said, "I fundamentally believe for this company that gaming can be a real catalyst for Microsoft's re-emergence as a consumer company.

"I go back and I look at Apple and they, on the back of music, became a very relevant consumer brand. Their investment in music early with the iPod and iTunes and everything that they did was an incredible growth opportunity for them and they really sparked consumer delight and innovation in the product, both the industrial design and just the way the whole service worked and I think we've got the same opportunity with Xbox here at Microsoft.

"I think we have that opportunity. I don't think it's a lay-up; and I think there's a lot of work. A lot of things that have to be done, but it would be great to be a part of that. If people look back and said 'this is when Microsoft committed to gaming across everything that we did led with what we do on Xbox One and that was an important part in their history," he added.

Do you believe a similar thing will happen to gaming as it did with Apple and the music industry?

Thanks, Gamespot.