Asha Sharma
Reporting and statements that mention Asha Sharma.
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Xbox Layoffs Appear To Be Starting With South Of Midnight Dev Compulsion
Xbox Game Studios has reportedly begun layoffs, with developers at Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight, being affected. This comes as part of a larger restructuring under new CEO Asha Sharma, which may see several Xbox Game Studios closed or become independent. Other studios like Double Fine and Ninja Theory are also reportedly in talks with Xbox to avoid closure.
Analysts attempt to make sense of Xbox's latest exclusivity pivot
Xbox is undergoing another strategic shift regarding game exclusivity, moving from a multiplatform approach back towards select console exclusives. This pivot, occurring under new leadership, aims to re-establish reasons for consumers to invest in the Xbox ecosystem, balancing a console business with a platform-agnostic publishing strategy.
"Call of Duty is bigger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe": New Xbox CEO brags as more of its games turn to…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma claims the Call of Duty franchise is larger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, citing its success in video games and upcoming adaptations. While the MCU has grossed over $30 billion, Sharma believes Call of Duty's consistent sales and popular free-to-play titles give it broader cultural impact. Xbox is expanding its gaming IPs into film and TV, with projects based on Gears of War, Sea of Thieves, Minecraft, Fallout, and Wolfenstein in development.
Big companies told Hideo Kojima he's 'crazy' for making OD: 'it's something that no one has…
Hideo Kojima revealed that major companies rejected his new horror game concept, OD, deeming it too unconventional. The game, co-written with Jordan Peele and published by Xbox Game Studios, is described by Kojima as a new game system unlike anything seen before. Despite initial skepticism from other companies, Xbox leadership, including Phil Spencer and Asha Sharma, supported Kojima's vision for the project.
Sea of Thieves is becoming a live-action movie, the Gears of War film apparently has a plot, and Microsoft's considering bringing the Halo TV show back
Microsoft is expanding its entertainment ventures beyond gaming, with a live-action Sea of Thieves movie in development and plot details emerging for the Gears of War film. The company is also considering reviving the Halo TV series. These projects highlight Microsoft's strategy to leverage its game franchises across various media platforms, even as the company faces potential restructuring and studio closures.
Hideo Kojima Says Every Publisher Told Him His Idea For OD Was “Crazy”
Hideo Kojima revealed that multiple publishers rejected his horror game concept OD, deeming it "crazy" and unfeasible. The game, developed in partnership with Xbox, is described as a "new game system" and aims to be as scary as possible, with a feature to help players who get too frightened. OD will feature celebrity actors and is part of Xbox's effort to support diverse game development.
Xbox is publishing Kojima's mysterious horror game OD because apparently no one else wanted it - they didn't understand the concept
Xbox is publishing Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror title OD, a project that many publishers reportedly rejected due to its unconventional concept. Kojima described OD as a new form of media blending games and film, starring Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and Udo Kier, with input from director Jordan Peele. Phil Spencer was instrumental in bringing the project to Xbox after Kojima pitched it to numerous companies who found the concept "crazy".
Xbox boss declares Call Of Duty is bigger than Marvel and the MCU
Xbox boss Asha Sharma has claimed that the Call of Duty franchise is financially larger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, citing revenue figures. While acknowledging Call of Duty's significant financial success, the article notes that the MCU has generated more cultural fervor and hype, particularly with recent trailer view counts. Sharma also highlighted the success of Xbox's video game adaptations like Fallout and Minecraft, and announced plans for a Sea of Thieves live-action movie.
"This is going to be a niche device" – Analysts react to the $1,000+ Steam Machine price reveal
Industry analysts are reacting to Valve's Steam Machine pricing, which starts at $1,049, significantly higher than initially anticipated. This increase is attributed to global component shortages, particularly memory and storage, exacerbated by the generative AI boom. Experts believe this high price point positions the Steam Machine as a niche product and raises questions about the future pricing of upcoming consoles from Sony and Microsoft, with some predicting they will also exceed $1,000.
Kojimas OD ska ge oss en "överdos av rädsla"
Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror game OD aims to deliver an "overdose of fear" with a new game system designed to push the boundaries of the genre. Despite initial challenges in finding partners due to the concept's novelty, the project has garnered support from Xbox leadership, with Phil Spencer and Asha Sharma expressing enthusiasm for its unique approach.
Call of Duty is “Bigger Than The Marvel Cinematic Universe”, Claims Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty discussed the immense success and cultural impact of Xbox's franchises in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Sharma claimed Call of Duty is larger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while Booty detailed upcoming adaptations for Gears of War and the continued investment in Halo.
OD Will Have a System For Players That Are Too Scared to Continue, Says Hideo Kojima
Hideo Kojima discussed his upcoming Xbox-exclusive horror game OD, revealing a system designed for players who might find the game too scary. He also shared that the concept for OD originated during the development of Death Stranding, and many companies rejected the idea as too unconventional. The game is being developed with Unreal Engine and MetaHuman, and is expected to utilize Microsoft's cloud technology.
On The Elder Scrolls 6, Todd Howard says "we know we need to get it right and it's been a long time"
Todd Howard, game director for The Elder Scrolls 6 at Bethesda Game Studios, acknowledged the long development time for the highly anticipated title. He stated that the studio knows they "need to get it right" and that the majority of the studio is working on the project. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly keen on shortening development cycles, while Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty has seen the game in motion and described it as "amazing."
"We don't lock our hardware down" - Valve takes a swing at consoles while explaining why it doesn't subsidise the price of Steam Machine
Valve has announced pricing for its Steam Machine, opting against hardware subsidization to maintain an open ecosystem, unlike console manufacturers such as Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Valve believes customers should be able to play any game on any PC and install alternative software on their hardware. Despite high price points, Valve views competing hardware like Microsoft's Project Helix as beneficial for gamers by offering more choices.
Ori Studio Head Says Game Pass Would Have Worked if Xbox Could “Understand What’s a Good Game”
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler believes Xbox Game Pass could have succeeded if Microsoft had focused on quality over quantity, comparing it unfavorably to premium streaming services. He criticized Xbox's first-party output, citing Starfield as an example of a game that failed to meet the potential of its predecessor, and suggested that Xbox leadership needs a better understanding of what constitutes a "good game" to truly connect with gamers.
5 promising games recently cancelled by Microsoft
Microsoft has recently cancelled several promising game projects, including 'Odyssey,' 'Everwild,' 'Perfect Dark,' 'Contraband,' and 'Project Blackbird,' as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy under new CEO Asha Sharma. These cancellations have led to studio closures and significant layoffs, with former employees expressing disappointment over the loss of potentially exciting titles and the shift away from riskier, ambitious projects.
Xbox’s Biggest Problems May Still Be Ahead
Xbox is facing significant internal challenges despite a recent showcase of upcoming games like Gears of War: E-Day. CEO Asha Sharma admitted to substantial financial losses and poor investment returns over the past five years, citing issues with funding franchises and inadequate infrastructure. Reports suggest impending layoffs and potential restructuring, including spinning off Xbox as a subsidiary or forming joint ventures, as Microsoft seeks to make its gaming division a sustainable business.
Anyone Not Working on The Elder Scrolls or Fallout at Bethesda is Being Laid Off – Rumor
Reports suggest that ZeniMax Media, including studios like Bethesda Game Studios and id Software, is undergoing significant layoffs, with employees not working on The Elder Scrolls or Fallout projects being particularly affected. This comes amid broader Xbox restructuring and potential studio closures for titles like Hellblade and South of Midnight, as executives cite revenue losses and rising hardware costs.
Report: Xbox was set on splitting with Ninja Theory when unveiling its new project
A report suggests Microsoft planned to separate from Ninja Theory around the unveiling of its new project, Senua. This comes amid broader reports of internal turmoil at Xbox, with multiple studios reportedly negotiating to become independent due to potential shutdowns of less profitable teams. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated a reset for the division, which may include significant cuts and reduced budgets.
Xbox Hypes Up Gamescom Return Amid Questions About Its Future
Xbox is confirming its presence at Gamescom, with Gears of War: E-Day headlining playable demos. This comes amid reports of significant internal turmoil, including potential studio closures and layoffs, which Microsoft has disputed. CEO Asha Sharma and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella have alluded to upcoming changes and the need for Xbox to become a more sustainable business.
