Asha Sharma
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Xbox announces what sounds like a generative AI-focused game-making department, Xbox Labs, while avoiding mentioning AI
Xbox has launched Xbox Labs, a new initiative led by CTO Scott Van Vliet, to explore emerging trends in game development, particularly those related to generative AI and code manipulation. CEO Asha Sharma announced the initiative, emphasizing its role in understanding how players and developers interact with new technologies, while notably avoiding direct mention of AI in the announcement.
Xbox Labs is a New Team That Will Turn “Emerging Ideas” Into Things That Can be Experienced
Xbox has launched a new initiative called Xbox Labs, led by CTO Scott van Vliet, to explore making older console games accessible in web browsers. CEO Asha Sharma stated the team will focus on emerging ideas, leveraging advancements in game decompilation and AI, with a commitment to transparency and sharing tools with the industry.
Xbox is forming a whole division in response to the vibe-coded game recomp explosion – "These are unmistakably good outcomes for players"
Microsoft has launched Xbox Labs, a new division focused on exploring emerging ideas inspired by community game recompilation projects. Led by Xbox boss Asha Sharma, the initiative aims to leverage technologies like AI coding to improve game accessibility and give old games new life, even if it challenges existing business models. This move comes amid a surge in community-driven recomps for classic titles.
Xbox announces Xbox Labs, a new initiative to trial emerging ideas and "new technology"
Xbox has announced the creation of Xbox Labs, a new internal unit focused on testing emerging ideas and new technologies, with a particular emphasis on user feedback. Led by CEO Asha Sharma, the initiative aims to rapidly develop and iterate on tools, products, and features, potentially leveraging AI and other advancements to enhance game accessibility and creation.
Hundreds of layoffs and many cancelled projects later, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly says 'we will not…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly stated the company's commitment to creating new intellectual property and backing its strongest franchises. This comes amidst significant layoffs, studio reorganizations, and project cancellations, leading to confusion and criticism regarding Xbox's actual strategy.
Xbox CEO: We Must Rely On The Past, But We Cannot Rely On The Past
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma emphasized the need for Microsoft's gaming division to balance reliance on major franchises with the creation of new intellectual property for long-term survival. While acknowledging the importance of established titles like Halo and Gears of War, Sharma stressed that innovation and new IP are crucial to reaching new audiences and preventing stagnation.
Asha Sharma reportedly tells rattled Xbox employees: "We have to find new ways, and courage, to have invention on new IP"
Xbox leader Asha Sharma reportedly stated that the company must innovate and create new intellectual property to survive, rather than solely relying on existing franchises. This comes despite recent studio closures and consolidations that have impacted developers known for creating new game ideas.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma says "we will not survive" without "enduring new IP," despite being in the middle of laying off 3,200 employees and parting ways with numerous studios
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company "will not survive" without creating new, enduring intellectual property, despite ongoing restructuring that includes 3,200 layoffs and several studios becoming independent or having projects canceled. Sharma emphasized the need for invention and reaching new audiences, while also acknowledging the importance of backing strong franchises. The company is set to publish Hideo Kojima's upcoming games OD and Physint.
Xbox CEO Wants Studios to “Create Enduring New IP” – Rumor
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly discussed the division's future with employees, emphasizing the need to create enduring new intellectual property alongside strengthening existing franchises. Sharma also touched on hardware development for 'Gen-10', hinting at a 'family of devices' and a focus on affordability.
Nintendo Exec Says There Are “No Plans to Ditch Physical”
Nintendo of America's Bill van Zyll stated that the company has no plans to abandon physical game media, emphasizing their agnostic approach and the Nintendo Switch's capability for both physical and digital formats. This comes amid industry discussions about the future of physical media, with Sony ending PlayStation disc production in 2028 and former Sony executive Shawn Layden expressing concerns about game ownership.
Gears Of War: E-Day–How’s It Selling? Let’s Unpack Things
Gears of War: E-Day has sold approximately 230,000 copies across Steam and Xbox platforms, with a significant portion of players acquiring it through Game Pass. Analysts suggest that while direct sales are soft, the Game Pass model, including premium upgrades, generated substantial revenue, but questions are being raised about Xbox's overall strategy and its ability to drive console sales.
Gears of War: E-Day reportedly courts over 1.7m Xbox Game Pass players and makes over $37m since launch
Gears of War: E-Day has reportedly sold around 230,000 copies across Steam and Xbox consoles/PC, generating over $37 million including Premium Edition upgrades and microtransactions. A significant portion of its player base, over 1.7 million, engaged with the game through Xbox Game Pass, with many opting for the $30 Premium Edition upgrade for early access. The article also touches on player overlap with other titles and discusses the studio's confidence in the game as a foundation for future installments.
WARDOGS Studio Wants to Release on PS6 and Project Helix, as “There’s Not Too Much to Consider”
Bulkhead Studios is planning to bring its successful milsim WARDOGS to next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 6 and Xbox's Project Helix. Studio co-founder Howard Philpott stated that porting the game to these platforms should be a straightforward process, with senior producer Kane Allard confirming conversations with platform holders. While release windows and pricing for these consoles remain unknown, development is reportedly on track for a late 2027 launch.
MMO Business Roundup: Xbox is ‘back to growth,’ Kotick is on the Skydance board, and Aion 2 misses projections
Xbox is reportedly returning to growth, according to Xbox boss Asha Sharma. Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has joined the board of Skydance, the company formed from the Warner Bros. and Paramount merger. NCsoft's earnings forecast was lowered due to Aion 2's performance, while Necesse developer Fair Games was acquired by Fireshine Games. Additionally, Gardens Interactive, a studio founded by former Journey and Sky: Children of the Light developers, secured $35 million in Series B funding.
Xbox CEO unveils 'new Xbox division' for game-adjacent ventures named 'XP'
Xbox has launched a new division named XP, which will manage non-gaming ventures such as film and TV production, live events, and product creation. The division, led by Mojang's Kayleen Walters, aims to expand the Xbox brand's reach through transmedia projects like the upcoming Minecraft movie sequel and physical events like Blizzcon. This announcement comes amidst recent layoffs and a strategic "reset" initiative within the Xbox division.
Xbox puts former Reddit and Facebook exec in charge of Minecraft studio Mojang
Xbox has appointed Maria Angelidou-Smith, formerly of Meta and Reddit, as the new CEO of Mojang Studios, the developer behind Minecraft. This change occurs amidst broader restructuring within Xbox and raises concerns about a potential shift towards user retention and monetization strategies over community focus.
As it lays off developers and closes studios, Xbox gets into the movie business
Xbox has launched a new division called Xbox XP, focusing on film, television, merchandise, partnerships, and live experiences, headed by former Mojang president Kayleen Walters. This move comes as Xbox is undergoing significant layoffs and studio closures, drawing criticism for prioritizing expensive new ventures over game development staff.
Xbox’s XP Is A Fancy New Name, But We’re Failing To See What’s Really Different Here
Xbox has announced a new division called XP, overseeing investments in media, products, places, and partnerships, led by Kayleen Walters. Despite the rebranding, the article suggests this is largely a reshuffling of existing efforts with no new concrete investments in film or TV announced, and questions the timing given recent studio closures and layoffs. This announcement comes as Xbox hardware sales reportedly declined significantly.
Xbox aim to wring more cash out of the games they've not cast into oblivion by launching new licensing arm and handing Minecraft to ex-Meta monetisation lead
Xbox is launching a new licensing division, Xbox Products (XP), to generate more revenue from its major game franchises through film, TV, merchandise, and events. This initiative comes as Xbox undergoes significant layoffs, with a total of 3200 employees being let go. Mojang, the developer of Minecraft, has appointed Maria Angelidou-Smith, formerly of Meta, as its new CEO, bringing extensive experience in product and monetization but no direct gaming industry background.
Xbox forms Xbox Pictures to "reach fans beyond gameplay through film and television adaptations" but will…
Xbox has announced the formation of Xbox Pictures, a new division focused on adapting its game franchises into film and television. Led by Kayleen Walters, this initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand Xbox's reach beyond gaming into areas like licensing, partnerships, and location-based experiences.
