Asha Sharma
Reporting and statements that mention Asha Sharma.
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As EA kills Mass Effect 5, BioWare co-founder slams "weird belief" you can "recreate great games with random people and AI" – "It doesn't work"
Following the cancellation of Mass Effect 5 and layoffs at BioWare, co-founder Greg Zeschuk criticized the industry's reliance on executives who lack game development experience and a "weird belief" in recreating games with AI. The article highlights concerns about morale at Electronic Arts amid ongoing layoffs and the publisher's embrace of AI tools.
Xbox leader Asha Sharma says there's "more demand than consoles available" as Xbox hardware sales dip by 14%
Xbox hardware sales have seen a 14% year-on-year dip, despite Xbox leader Asha Sharma claiming demand outstrips supply. Microsoft's financial results show a 2% decline in overall Xbox revenue, attributed to lower console sales and reduced third-party content and Game Pass revenue, though first-party content and PC gaming showed growth. The company is facing ongoing restructuring and external criticism regarding its cloud services.
Xbox first-party content partially offsets 2% drop in Q1 revenue, hardware decreases 14%
Microsoft reported strong overall revenue for the first quarter, with Xbox content and services revenue seeing a slight 2% decrease, partially offset by growth in first-party titles like Minecraft and Call of Duty. Hardware sales declined 14%, but the company anticipates mid to high-single digit growth for Xbox content and services in the next quarter, driven by upcoming game launches. The report also noted ongoing workforce reductions within the Xbox division.
Xbox revenue falls 2% in first results since layoffs as decline narrows from 10%
Xbox's revenue saw a 2% decline in the July-September quarter, marking its fifth consecutive decrease, though the drop is less severe than in previous periods. While console sales and Game Pass subscriptions continue to shrink, Microsoft is anticipating stronger growth during the holiday quarter. The company's content and services business experienced a smaller 1% slip when currency changes are excluded, exceeding Microsoft's own forecasts.
Xbox Workers Are Eligible For Buyouts As Part Of Huge Shakeup At Microsoft
Microsoft is offering a Voluntary Exit Offer to thousands of employees across various divisions, including Xbox, as part of a significant shakeup. This program allows eligible workers to leave with a pay package, with over 25% of the company's workforce potentially affected. The announcement comes ahead of Microsoft's earnings report, amidst a massive AI investment push and following previous layoffs and a voluntary retirement program.
Call of Duty passes $40 billion in lifetime revenue, making it one of the most-lucrative videogame franchise ever
The Call of Duty franchise has surpassed $40 billion in lifetime revenue, solidifying its position as one of the most lucrative in gaming history. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced the milestone, highlighting the success of titles like Modern Warfare 2 (2022), which generated $1 billion in its first 10 days. The franchise's consistent annual releases from studios like Infinity Ward and Treyarch have been key to its enduring popularity and financial success.
Call Of Duty Lifetime Revenue Surges Past $40 Billion, Microsoft Confirms
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that the Call of Duty franchise has surpassed $40 billion in lifetime revenue. This milestone was announced following the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. The franchise, which debuted in 2003, has seen annual installments and expanded into mobile and battle royale genres.
Microsoft is Providing a “Voluntary Exit Offer” to Around 60,000 Employees
Microsoft is implementing company-wide cost-cutting measures by offering a "Voluntary Exit Offer" to approximately 60,000 employees across various regions, including those within Xbox. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase flexibility and support employees considering career changes. The company has also recently undergone significant layoffs, impacting around 1,600 roles at Xbox, and is divesting four studios while Arkane Lyon faces potential closure.
Netflix reportedly offered $500m to Microsoft to license Xbox IP for seven years
Netflix reportedly offered Microsoft $500 million over seven years for the rights to adapt Xbox intellectual property for film and television. Xbox executives, including Asha Sharma, allegedly declined the offer and counter-proposed $800 million. The deal appears to have been withdrawn following the departure of Netflix's former chief content officer, Bela Bajaria.
Xbox Veteran Who Just Got Promoted Under Asha Sharma Promptly Leaves Amid Mysterious Circumstances
Xbox's first Chief Operating Officer, Helen Chiang, has departed the company shortly after her promotion under CEO Asha Sharma. While the exact reasons remain unclear, sources suggest termination for policy violations. Chiang had a 20-year tenure at Microsoft, playing a role in Xbox Live and Mojang. Her exit follows a period of poor performance for Xbox hardware and services.
Arkane Lyon’s Deadline to Find a New Buyer Has Been Pushed Back to December 13th
Microsoft has extended the deadline for Arkane Lyon to find a new buyer to December 13th, allowing the studio to continue development on Marvel's Blade. This decision comes amidst wider Xbox cost-cutting measures, including significant job cuts and the divestiture of other studios, which have led to anger and concern among employees and union representatives.
Xbox Chief Operating Officer Departs After 3 Months
Helen Chiang has departed from her role as Xbox chief operating officer after only three months. Her departure follows a 21-year tenure at Microsoft, during which she was involved with titles like Minecraft and led Mojang. This exit is part of a broader trend of leadership changes and layoffs within Xbox.
Top Xbox exec promoted in brand 'reset' leaves after 3 months in role
Xbox Chief Operating Officer Helen Chiang has departed the company after only three months in the role, a position created as part of a controversial brand "reset" by CEO Asha Sharma. Sharma announced the departure in an internal memo without explanation, while Microsoft offered a boilerplate statement. An anonymous source suggested Chiang was terminated for policy violations, adding to the instability and uncertainty surrounding Xbox's leadership.
Xbox COO and ex-Minecraft boss leaves Microsoft after just 3 months in the role
Helen Chiang, former head of Minecraft and the first COO of Xbox, has departed Microsoft after 21 years. Her exit follows significant layoffs within the Xbox division as part of a broader restructuring plan. Responsibilities for her role will be distributed among other Xbox leaders.
With Minecraft and Diablo shows already on the way, Netflix reportedly offered Xbox $500m for a bigger film and TV deal
Netflix and Xbox reportedly failed to reach an agreement for a major film and TV adaptation deal, with Netflix offering $500 million and Xbox countering with $800 million. While this specific large-scale deal fell apart due to the price difference, both companies are still collaborating on other projects like animated series for Minecraft and Diablo, and a Gears of War film.
Xbox Wanted A Gargantuan Paycheck To Partner With Netflix On TV And Movies
Netflix reportedly offered Microsoft $500 million over seven years for exclusive film and TV rights to Xbox intellectual property, but Microsoft countered with a demand for $800 million. This led Netflix to withdraw its offer, though both companies state they value their partnership. Xbox is now pursuing smaller deals with multiple partners for its various game franchises.
Xbox’s Hardware Problem: September Sales Drop To New Low Amid Sony’s Market Dominance
Xbox Series hardware sales hit an all-time September low, falling 27% year-over-year, while PlayStation 5 sales grew 22% and Nintendo Switch sales declined 12%. This analysis attributes Xbox's struggles to its multiplatform strategy and cloud gaming focus, contrasting it with Sony's console-centric approach and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 launch. Microsoft is attempting to reverse course under new CEO Asha Sharma by re-emphasizing console exclusives and hardware upgrades.
PS6 and Project Helix Could Set a Worrying New Price Benchmark
Rumors suggest that the upcoming PlayStation 6 and Xbox's Project Helix consoles could see significant price increases due to rising hardware component costs, potentially reaching $1,200 to $1,800. This marks a worrying trend for the accessibility of next-generation gaming hardware, with potential delays also indicated.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Hourly Prices Revealed For Non-Game Pass Members
Microsoft has revealed introductory hourly pricing for Xbox Cloud Gaming for users without a Game Pass subscription, with options like 10 hours for $4, 25 hours for $8, and 50 hours for $12. These "cloud playtime packs" will offer an ad-free experience with perks like shorter wait times. Additionally, Game Pass subscribers will face new monthly hour limits starting in November, though Microsoft estimates this will impact only about 4% of users.
Halo 3 Looks Like It Could Come To Browsers Via Xbox Labs
Xbox chief technology officer Scott Van Vliet posted a video showing Halo 3 booting up within the Microsoft Edge web browser, hinting at potential browser-based gaming through Xbox Labs. This development follows a trend of older games being ported to browsers and suggests a future where Xbox 360 titles could be playable via web interfaces, potentially with cloud saves and customizable dashboards.
