Asha Sharma
Reporting and statements that mention Asha Sharma.
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Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be both
Former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
"We mean business" - Bethesda union members to march in protest of sweeping Xbox job cuts
Bethesda Game Studios union members are planning protests against recent layoffs impacting Microsoft's Xbox division. The union criticizes Microsoft's framing of the cuts and asserts their legal right to bargain over the impact of these layoffs, demanding preferential transfers, stronger severance, and recall rights for affected workers. The layoffs have reportedly caused plummeting morale and may significantly affect the development of The Elder Scrolls 6.
Can a top-down, focused software strategy save Xbox? | Opinion
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs and studio closures, impacting 20% of its workforce and five internal studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine. This strategic shift, led by Asha Sharma, aims to address financial issues and improve first-party development, though the article questions the effectiveness of these measures and criticizes the company's past spending and treatment of developers.
Unionized workers at Bethesda studios plan a nationwide protest against recent layoffs on July 15
Unionized workers at Bethesda Game Studios, known as OneBGS, are organizing a nationwide protest on July 15th against recent layoffs at studios like ZeniMax Online Studios. The union accuses Microsoft and Bethesda of attempting to circumvent their legal obligation to bargain over these decisions by reframing them as business scope changes. Separately, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has joined a Federal Reserve task force focused on the economic impact of new technologies like artificial intelligence.
Xbox CEO Joins Fed’s Task Force To Help With Price Stability And Employment After She Raised Xbox Prices And Laid Of Staff
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed to a Federal Reserve task force focused on the economic impact of AI, aiming to improve job creation and price stability. This appointment comes despite recent controversial decisions by Sharma, including Xbox price hikes and significant layoffs, which have negatively impacted public sentiment towards the brand.
"My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the brand' statement isn't aging well" - id Software co-founder John Carmack speaks out after devastating Xbox layoffs
id Software co-founder John Carmack commented on the recent significant layoffs at his former studio following Xbox's restructuring. Carmack expressed sadness but not anger, suggesting id Software may have been a marginal business for Microsoft, with Minecraft revenues potentially subsidizing other studios. He reflected on the challenges of making games financially successful in a competitive market and questioned potential strategies for increasing revenue and reducing costs without alienating the existing player base.
Own goal specialist Xbox rifles another into the roof of the net - Patch Notes #60
Xbox announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 employees across various studios including id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios, Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. Xbox boss Asha Sharma cited a need to eliminate management layers and create a flatter organization, though many of the affected employees are senior staff integral to game production. This marks the fifth major round of layoffs at Xbox in three years, with unions like CWA Canada criticizing Microsoft's handling of the situation.
Xbox leader Asha Sharma has joined a US government task force for employment, days after announcing restructuring that has left thousands of people without jobs
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has joined a US Federal Reserve task force focused on productivity and employment, days after announcing a significant restructuring at Xbox that led to 3200 job losses. Sharma, who has a background in AI and previously worked at Meta, will advise on the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce.
'We mean business:' Xbox union workers fighting back with 'Save Our Devs' rally on July 15
Unionized workers at Bethesda Game Studios, under the OneBGS banner, are organizing a 'Save Our Devs' rally on July 15 to protest recent mass layoffs across Xbox and ZeniMax studios. The union aims to negotiate preferential transfers, stronger severance packages, and recall rights for affected employees, rejecting Microsoft's framing of the cuts as an 'entrepreneurial change'.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma joins US Federal Reserve as adviser on AI for "productivity and jobs" taskforce
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed as an external adviser to the US Federal Reserve, focusing on artificial intelligence's impact on productivity and jobs. Sharma will lead a taskforce assessing the economic effects of new technologies, including AI, to inform the Fed's policy decisions. This appointment comes shortly after Sharma announced significant layoffs at Xbox and follows her previous role leading Microsoft's CoreAI product group.
Business and Finance
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed as an advisor to a U.S. Federal Reserve task force focused on productivity and jobs. This appointment highlights the growing recognition of the gaming industry's economic impact.
Days after announcing mass layoffs, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma tapped to advise the Federal Reserve on jobs
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed to advise the Federal Reserve on job-related matters, just days after Xbox announced significant layoffs. This appointment highlights her expertise in employment trends and workforce dynamics.
Xbox layoff hatchetwoman & CEO tapped by Federal Reserve for 'jobs & productivity' task force
Asha Sharma, who recently oversaw layoffs of approximately 3,200 employees at Xbox, has been appointed as an advisor to a new Federal Reserve task force focused on jobs and productivity. Sharma, who has a background in artificial intelligence at Microsoft, will join other prominent figures to assess the economic impact of new technologies like AI.
Asha Sharma joins Federal Reserve advisory task force days after laying off thousands at Xbox
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has been appointed to a new US Federal Reserve task force focused on productivity and jobs, specifically examining the economic impact of artificial intelligence. This appointment follows Xbox's announcement of significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees and several game studios, including Double Fine and Ninja Theory.
US Federal Reserve taps Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who just laid off 3,200 employees, to lead task force on jobs
The Federal Reserve has appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to lead a task force on employment and productivity. Sharma, who recently oversaw significant layoffs at Xbox, will work alongside other experts to assess the economic impact of new technologies like artificial intelligence. This appointment comes shortly after a major reorganization within Xbox, affecting studios like Mojang and King.
MMO Business Roundup: Marathon’s lawsuit, the Sony petition, TGS 2026, and Minecraft’s fate
This MMO business roundup covers several key events, including the settlement of a lawsuit filed by former Marathon game director Christopher Barrett against Sony and Bungie. It also highlights an online petition by PNP Games urging Sony to continue supporting physical media, which has garnered a significant number of signatures. Additionally, Nexon announced its presence at Tokyo Game Show, and an article from Gamespot questions Microsoft's strategy for Minecraft's future, suggesting a focus on competing with Roblox could be detrimental.
'All options are on the table, considering the drastic measure already put in place' — Could Microsoft sell Xbox? Analysts say it's too expensive for that, but that it could be dismantled piece by piece
Industry analysts are discussing the potential sale or dismantling of Microsoft's Xbox division amidst a significant restructuring. While a full sale is considered unlikely due to its high cost, analysts suggest that individual studios or intellectual properties might be sold off piecemeal. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has acknowledged the business is 'not healthy' and is implementing changes to improve its financial performance and strategic direction.
New Perfect Dark, Co-Op Doom Were Reportedly In The Works At Id Software Before Mass Layoffs
Mass layoffs have significantly impacted id Software, with reports suggesting projects like a new Perfect Dark game, a co-op Doom experience, and a John Wick-inspired title called Fury were in development. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's 'reset plan' led to the dismissal of over half of id Software's staff, potentially affecting the future of the id Tech engine and other studios like Obsidian Entertainment and ZeniMax Online Studios.
Doom and Quake studio id Software reportedly gutted, leaving standalone capabilities in doubt and newly revealed game ideas dead
Microsoft's restructuring has severely impacted id Software, with 136 employees laid off, leaving fewer than 50 staff. This reduction in force has reportedly led to the cancellation of new game ideas like 'Fury' and a 'Perfect Dark' title, and casts doubt on the studio's ability to develop full-scale games independently. The future of id Software appears to be shifting towards a support role for other Xbox studios, potentially focusing on its proprietary id Tech engine.
Obsidian Entertainment returns to Fallout franchise, while cancelling Avowed 2
Obsidian Entertainment is returning to the Fallout franchise with a new game led by Josh Sawyer, director of Fallout: New Vegas. This shift comes after Xbox announced mass layoffs, leading to the cancellation of Avowed 2 and other unannounced projects. The studio aims to leverage Xbox's established IPs for growth following recent sales disappointments.
