Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told employees that Microsoft’s gaming division will keep putting its biggest franchises first, but that it also needs to build original IP, according to Windows Central. The outlet says it has seen transcripts of a company-wide town hall meeting, and Eurogamer reports that the meeting took place last week.
As reported by GameSpot, Sharma said Xbox is backing its strongest franchises. “I want our great games to become great global billion-dollar franchises,” she reportedly said. She also said she wants the company to keep making lasting new IP, and warned that Xbox would not survive if it depended only on its past. “We have to find new ways, and courage, to have invention on new IP that reaches new sets of audiences,” Sharma reportedly added.
Eurogamer says it has asked Microsoft to confirm that the meeting took place and that the transcripts are accurate. According to Eurogamer, Sharma also shared more details about Project Helix, Xbox’s next-generation console, at the meeting, and talked about Xbox returning to growth after what she called “an all-time low.”
GameSpot notes that Xbox’s 2026 releases have centered on established series such as Forza Horizon, Halo and Gears of War, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 due later this month. Next year, a new Fable and inXile Entertainment’s Clockwork Revolution are set to launch, according to GameSpot. Xbox has also signed deals with Hideo Kojima covering his next two projects, OD and Physint.
Both outlets point out that the comments come after Xbox parted ways with studios known for original games. GameSpot names Compulsion Games, Undead Labs and Double Fine. Eurogamer also points to cuts at id Software and reports that Microsoft still plans hundreds of job cuts in its Xbox division. GameSpot adds that Xbox has set itself a goal of entertaining 1 billion people every day.
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