After a tough year filled with layoffs and project cancellations, Asha Sharma, the CEO of Microsoft’s gaming group, has made it clear: Xbox is not for sale. This statement comes amid significant restructuring, which has included divesting from four studios. Speculation about a potential sale of Xbox has circulated widely, but Sharma’s message is straightforward: “Xbox is not for sale,” she affirmed, highlighting her determination to position the company for future success.
Since taking over from Phil Spencer in February, Sharma has implemented several major changes within the Xbox team. She pointed out that the gaming industry needs disruption, contrasting sharply with the previous leadership’s approach. This shift has led to a decrease in Game Pass prices due to falling subscriber numbers and removed an expensive offering: New Call of Duty games will no longer be offered on day one under the plan. Additionally, there are whispers of more substantial changes to the Xbox Game Pass structure, including new time limits on cloud gaming for subscribers.
One noteworthy partnership emerging during this transitional phase is with Kojima Productions, which will publish the game _Physint_. This deal not only covers the game but also grants Xbox the TV and film rights to the _Physint_ IP. This collaboration follows Sony’s decision to drop the game, and the investment has been described as substantially below what Xbox would typically spend to develop a premium game.
Despite the ongoing restructuring, in which thousands of employees are being laid off and there are still hundreds of additional layoffs planned at the company, Sharma insists that Xbox will remain under Microsoft’s umbrella. As the company gears up for the launch of Project Helix, the next generation of Xbox, its operational model may evolve further. While the landscape for Xbox is changing, Sharma’s comments suggest that the focus is not on an immediate sale but rather on building a sustainable future through strategic partnerships and a flexible structure.
