Asha Sharma
Reporting and statements that mention Asha Sharma.
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Hideki Kamiya Tells Xbox CEO He's Ready to Make Scalebound When She Is
Bayonetta creator Hideki Kamiya has expressed his readiness to develop Scalebound should Xbox CEO Asha Sharma decide to move forward with the project. Kamiya indicated he is waiting for Sharma's signal to resume work on the game.
Xbox adds monthly cloud limits to Game Pass as it "continues to invest in its reliability and performance"
Xbox will implement monthly cloud gaming limits for Game Pass subscribers starting November 2026, with Essential, Premium, and Ultimate tiers receiving 5, 10, and 15 hours respectively. Exceeding these limits will require purchasing additional playtime. Microsoft states this change is necessary to maintain service reliability and performance as usage grows, acknowledging it may increase costs for some players.
Xbox to cap Cloud Gaming hours for Game Pass subscribers
Microsoft is implementing monthly hour limits for its Xbox Cloud Gaming service for Game Pass subscribers, starting in November 2026. Cheaper subscription tiers will have stricter caps, with Ultimate subscribers limited to 15 hours, premium to 10, and Essential to 5 hours per month. The company cites rising operational costs as the reason for the change, though it will offer additional playtime hours for purchase.
Witcher 4 Dev “Not Worried” About Future Of Consoles Despite Rising Costs
CD Projekt joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski expressed confidence in the future of consoles, stating they are essential for broadening the gaming audience despite rising costs and potential delays of next-generation hardware like the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox. He believes strong content will ensure players find ways to access games regardless of platform.
Skyrim and Fallout made Bethesda devs feel "safe" from mass layoffs before Xbox ended decades-long careers in…
Bethesda Game Studios developers, known for franchises like Skyrim and Fallout, felt secure from mass layoffs at Xbox, but were instead blindsided by job cuts affecting long-term employees. An employee described the experience as devastating, with meetings lasting only two minutes to end decades-long careers. The loss of institutional knowledge is a significant concern for future game quality.
Asha Sharma gives a positive response about the rising cost of tech
Xbox Executive Vice President and CEO Asha Sharma discussed the rising cost of gaming hardware and the impact of Artificial Intelligence during an interview at Gamescom. Sharma acknowledged challenges like component shortages and the need for innovation in affordability, while the article criticizes the perceived dismissal of concerns over GPU and CPU price hikes driven by AI demand.
Xbox’s Disc-to-Digital Program is Now Live for Alpha Skip, Alpha, and Beta Insiders
Microsoft's Disc-to-Digital program is now available for Xbox Insiders, allowing users to convert physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X games into digital licenses. While not all titles are supported due to various reasons, a community-driven website is tracking eligible games. Microsoft may require proof of disc ownership in the future to maintain digital license benefits.
Xbox CEO Says Making Halo Popular Again Is A Priority, But Franchise Co-Creator Questions If It’s Possible
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that reviving the Halo franchise is a priority, viewing it as a key part of Microsoft's portfolio with a long-term vision. However, Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto expressed skepticism about the feasibility and cost of making a "great Halo again," citing the immense budget and time required for modern AAA development.
Xbox Open-World Game’s PlayStation 5 Release Date Quietly Delayed
The PlayStation 5 version of the Xbox open-world game Forza Horizon 6 has been delayed beyond 2026, according to reports from The Verge and IGN. While an official announcement from Xbox is pending, recent strategic shifts suggest a renewed focus on Xbox console exclusives. The game's PlayStation Store wishlist page remains active, indicating a future release is still planned.
Xbox CEO Reacts To The Irony Of Rising Console Prices Being An Issue That Microsoft Itself Contributed To
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged the irony of rising console prices, partly caused by Microsoft's own AI investments. She stated that future console generations, codenamed Helix, will prioritize efficiency and affordability alongside performance, potentially as a family of devices rather than a single unit. This comes as Xbox Series S prices have increased significantly, and Sony has also raised PlayStation 5 prices.
Xbox CEO refuses to confirm whether next console Helix will have a disc drive
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma declined to confirm if the upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix, will feature a disc drive. Sharma emphasized player choice and the importance of library portability, while also announcing a disc-to-digital initiative for a thousand titles. The company is preparing to share more details about the next-generation hardware soon.
Forza Horizon 6 appears to have been quietly delayed on PS5
Forza Horizon 6's anticipated PlayStation 5 release has reportedly been delayed, with sources suggesting it will not launch in 2026 as previously indicated. This comes amid shifts in Xbox's strategy regarding multi-platform releases and internal turmoil.
Xbox boss confirms next gen Project Helix is more than one console
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that the upcoming 'Project Helix' will consist of a family of devices, suggesting multiple console SKUs or models, potentially including options with and without disc drives, and possibly even a handheld device. Sharma emphasized the importance of affordability and efficiency in future hardware development due to component shortages, while also aiming to expand Xbox's portfolio of billion-dollar franchises.
Weekend Discussion - August 30, 2026
This weekend discussion covers various gaming topics including replays of Grand Theft Auto 5, anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6, and a look at Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer. It also touches on Xbox's Asha Sharma discussing player choice and mentions Shacknews' own guides and interactive maps.
Forza Horizon 6 PS5 Release May Have Been Delayed Beyond 2026 – Rumor
A rumor suggests that the PlayStation 5 version of Forza Horizon 6 may have been delayed beyond 2026, with sources indicating the game was not ready for its initial planned release. While Microsoft and Playground Games have not officially commented, the delay could be influenced by the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. The PC and Xbox Series X/S versions of Forza Horizon 6 were released earlier this year.
Xbox CEO Says “A Family of Devices for Project Helix” is Planned
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that Microsoft is planning a "family of devices" for its next-generation Project Helix, indicating more than just a single console. Sharma emphasized performance and the integration of PC gaming on consoles, while also acknowledging the ongoing component shortages and the need for innovation in affordability and efficiency. The company is rethinking the console model to offer more flexibility and choice for consumers.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma wants players to have a choice between physical and digital games
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company wants players to have a choice between physical and digital games, highlighting the disc-to-digital program as a step towards this goal. Sharma acknowledged the benefits of both physical and digital media during an interview at Gamescom.
Project Helix isn’t one box: Xbox chief Asha Sharma says it’s a ‘family of devices’
Xbox chief Asha Sharma has begun referring to the upcoming Project Helix as a 'family of devices' rather than a single console, suggesting a broader hardware strategy. This shift in terminology, coupled with past partnership announcements with AMD and a VP's non-denial of third-party involvement, indicates a more expansive vision for the next generation of Xbox hardware, which is confirmed to run PC games.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Exclusivity Question Avoided by Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and other executives have avoided clarifying the exclusivity status of The Elder Scrolls 6. While acknowledging the need for exclusive content, Sharma stated that the game is 'beautiful' when pressed on the matter, and other Xbox strategists have indicated a continued commitment to exclusives.
The Witcher 4 Will Have a Physical Box, But CDPR Has “No Influence” in the Ongoing Disc Debate
CD Projekt RED plans to release The Witcher 4 with a physical box, despite Sony's discontinuation of new disc titles from January 2028. Studio co-CEO Michał Nowakowski stated they have no influence on first-party policies but are committed to tangible collectibles. Xbox is also exploring ways to support physical media, with CEO Asha Sharma emphasizing player choice.
