Phil Spencer
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'Our presence on PC isn't strong enough,' Xbox bosses admit
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty have outlined a renewed commitment to Xbox, including a name change back to Xbox and a reevaluation of exclusivity, windowing, and AI strategies. The company aims to focus on daily active players and shared experiences, acknowledging past shortcomings in PC presence and console market share.
Xbox will "reevaluate" its approach to exclusive games and AI, new CEO and CCO say "our new north star…
Xbox's new leadership, CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty, announced a reevaluation of the brand's approach to exclusive games and artificial intelligence. This strategic shift follows recent departures and aims for greater transparency and a focus on core franchises, while also addressing concerns about AI-generated content in game development.
‘We are Xbox’: New leadership further pledges to bring brand back to its previous glory
Microsoft Gaming is rebranding back to Xbox, with CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty pledging a renewed focus on the brand's core ideals. The company aims to build a global platform connecting players and creators, emphasizing console as foundational while extending the experience to any device via cloud gaming. Key focuses include daily active players, hardware, content, player experience, and services like Game Pass.
Microsoft Gaming Is Dead, Xbox Gaming Is Back Says New Report
Xbox's new CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly shifting the company's branding back to 'Xbox Gaming' from 'Microsoft Gaming'. This change coincides with a reduction in Game Pass prices, though Call of Duty will no longer be available on the service day one. The move aims to re-establish Xbox's core identity.
"Microsoft Gaming" Is Dead, To Be Replaced By Return To "Xbox" Branding - Report
Microsoft is reportedly retiring the "Microsoft Gaming" brand in favor of returning to the "Xbox" identity. New Xbox boss Asha Sharma informed staff of the change, emphasizing the importance of the Xbox brand. This shift follows Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and aims to refocus on the core Xbox identity and its gaming roots.
Older Call of Duty games are coming to Game Pass in 2026
Xbox boss Asha Sharma announced that new Call of Duty games will be added to Game Pass one year after their release, starting in 2026. This change affects the inclusion of future titles in the subscription service. Older Call of Duty games, including titles from 2003 up to 2021's Vanguard, are listed as potentially coming to the service.
Ubisoft reportedly cancels life-simulator project Alterra
Ubisoft has reportedly cancelled its life simulator project, codenamed Alterra, with affected employees being reassigned to other projects. The game, described as an Animal Crossing-style title with voxel creation, had been in development for about 18 months at Ubisoft Montréal. This cancellation follows Ubisoft's recent introduction of a Creative House structure and other cost-cutting measures, including the discontinuation of three other games and studio closures.
"Not surprising at all" - analysts see Xbox Game Pass price cut as inevitable shift that will drive subscription growth in 2026
Analysts believe Microsoft's decision to cut the price of Xbox Game Pass and remove Call of Duty as a day-one offering was an expected move due to the franchise's limited impact on subscription growth. While opinions differ on the effect on Call of Duty's revenue, the price reduction is seen as a positive step that should help subscriber numbers grow. This strategic shift is viewed as commercial pragmatism rather than a fundamental change in Microsoft's approach to its gaming services.
Ubisoft cancels Animal Crossing and Minecraft-inspired cozy life sim game Alterra
Ubisoft has reportedly canceled Alterra, an unannounced cozy life simulation game inspired by Animal Crossing and Minecraft, which had been in development for nearly three years at Ubisoft Montréal. Meanwhile, Microsoft has reduced the prices of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, and will no longer include new Call of Duty titles as day-one releases on the service.
Microsoft needs to answer a simple question: what is the point of Xbox?
The article questions the current purpose and direction of Microsoft's Xbox brand, contrasting its current struggles with the influential era of the Xbox 360. It discusses the impact of Game Pass, the challenges of competition with Sony, and the potential role of AI and new hardware like Project Helix. The piece suggests Xbox lacks a clear identity and a compelling vision for the future of gaming.
Game Pass Price Drop Announced, Call Of Duty No Longer A Day One Title
Xbox has reduced the monthly prices for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, with new Call of Duty titles no longer being available on day one. The price drop, implemented by new Xbox leader Asha Sharma, reverses recent price hikes but comes with the trade-off that Call of Duty games will now be added to the service approximately one year after their release. This change is speculated to be a response to declining Call of Duty sales and the unsustainable costs associated with offering new releases on Game Pass.
Xbox Game Pass gets price drop at the cost of day one Call Of Duty
Microsoft has adjusted the pricing for Xbox Game Pass, with Game Pass Ultimate now costing £16.99 per month and PC Game Pass reduced to £10.99 per month. However, future Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on the service at launch, instead being added about a year later. This change follows fan backlash to previous price increases and aims to make the service more affordable.
Xbox confirms a Game Pass price drop, but the next Call of Duty won’t be available Day 1 anymore
Xbox has announced a price reduction for its Game Pass subscription service, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate dropping to $22.99 per month and PC Game Pass to $13.99 per month. However, starting this year, titles from the Call of Duty franchise will no longer be available on Game Pass on their day-one launch. This change follows a period of criticism regarding previous price increases and comes after Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Call of Duty won't hit Xbox Game Pass at launch going forwards, as Microsoft's subscription service gets a price cut
Microsoft has reduced the monthly prices for its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass tiers. However, future Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch, instead releasing approximately one year after their initial debut. Existing Call of Duty games will remain accessible on the service.
Microsoft cuts Game Pass pricing and removes Call of Duty as day-one launch title in response to "a lot of feedback"
Microsoft is reducing the monthly price of its Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions in response to player feedback about cost. Additionally, new Call of Duty titles will now be added to the service approximately one year after their initial release, rather than on day one. These changes come as Microsoft's content and services revenue has seen a year-on-year decline.
Game Pass's Price Cut Isn't The Discount You Think It Is
Microsoft has reduced the monthly price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $30 to $23, but excluded the annual Call of Duty release from the service. This change effectively saves subscribers $14 annually if they do not plan to purchase the new Call of Duty title at launch. The move is seen as a strategic adjustment to re-attract lapsed subscribers and avoid cannibalizing Call of Duty sales, while still maintaining overall revenue.
Microsoft to Announce Lay-Offs Affecting 15 Percent of Gaming Division – Rumor
A rumor suggests Microsoft is planning to lay off 15 percent of its gaming division workforce, with an announcement potentially coming in early May or June. This follows a hiring freeze in other divisions and comes after recent leadership changes, including the appointment of Asha Sharma as CEO of Microsoft Gaming and the departures of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond.
Call Of Duty Movie - Everything We Know About The Activision/Paramount Film Coming In 2028
Paramount has announced a release date of June 30, 2028, for the Call of Duty movie, with Peter Berg directing and Taylor Sheridan writing. While the specific plot is undecided, Activision is considering fan input on whether to base the film on sub-brands like Modern Warfare or Black Ops, or create an entirely new story. This project marks a significant step forward after over a decade of development plans for a Call of Duty cinematic universe.
Gaming Needs More Ads, Expert Says, And A $6 Game Pass Tier
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly exploring ways to make Xbox Game Pass more affordable, potentially through a lower-priced, ad-supported tier. Industry expert Joost van Dreunen suggests embracing advertising, citing its prevalence in other media, and notes that subscriptions excel at retention but not market growth. Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden expressed skepticism about Game Pass's current trajectory, while Netflix CEO Greg Peters indicated openness to potential bundle collaborations with Xbox.
Report: Xbox new chief says Game Pass 'has become too expensive'
Microsoft's new Xbox chief, Asha Sharma, has reportedly stated that Game Pass has become too expensive for players, indicating a need for a better value proposition. Sharma also mentioned plans to evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system over the long term. This comes amid a reported decrease in Microsoft's gaming revenue and discussions about potential subscription bundles with Netflix.
