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After Describing Them as 'Antiquated', Xbox Now Says It 'Must Have Exclusive Content and Services'
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated a shift in the company's stance on exclusive content, stating that to be a great publisher, games must reach large audiences, but to be a platform, exclusive content and services are necessary. This contrasts with previous statements from Sarah Bond, who called exclusives 'antiquated'. The company is now considering an 'exclusive content and services' approach on a case-by-case basis for its titles, potentially experimenting with games like Gears of War: E-Day.
Xbox will "offer a closer look at Project Helix", the successor to its Series X/S consoles, later today
Microsoft will host its first Xbox Game Dev Update to reveal "Project Helix," the successor to its Xbox Series X/S consoles. General manager Chris Charla and VP Jason Ronald will present details on the custom AMD-based SoC, co-designed for next-generation DirectX, which aims to improve developer workflows and performance. While primarily aimed at developers, the presentation is expected to offer insights into the future of Xbox and PC gaming.
Xbox Is Flip-Flopping on PS5 Again, and It's Truly Getting Tiring
Xbox is reportedly re-evaluating its strategy regarding releasing games on PlayStation 5, a move that has become a recurring and tiring cycle for the company. Despite past commitments to broader platform availability and statements from executives like Phil Spencer and Satya Nadella, the debate over exclusivity continues to resurface. This constant back-and-forth creates uncertainty and fatigue among players and observers alike.
Microsoft to Offer 7 Percent of its US Employees The Option to Retire Early – Rumor
Microsoft is reportedly offering a buyout for early retirement to 7 percent of its US-based employees who meet specific age and tenure criteria. This news follows earlier reports of potential workforce reductions within Microsoft's gaming division and a recent rebranding of Microsoft Gaming back to Xbox.
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 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.
New Xbox CEO reveals why she axed 'This Is An Xbox' ad campaign
New Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma has reportedly shut down the 'This Is An Xbox' advertising campaign, stating it 'didn't feel like Xbox'. The campaign, which promoted playing Xbox games without a console, was seen as confusing and potentially damaging to the brand. Sharma is leading a brand reset, with speculation of a return to exclusives.
"It didn't feel like Xbox" - Microsoft confirms new Xbox boss scrapped controversial This is an Xbox ad campaign as part of brand "reset"
Microsoft has confirmed the discontinuation of its 'This is an Xbox' advertising campaign, with new gaming boss Asha Sharma leading a brand reset. The campaign, which reportedly de-emphasized hardware and was controversial internally, has been retired as Sharma focuses on celebrating Xbox's console roots. Development kits for the next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, are expected next year.
Microsoft Gaming’s New CEO Might Revamp Game Pass Subscription Prices – Rumor
A report suggests that Asha Sharma, the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming, plans to make Game Pass more affordable with lower-priced tiers. While Microsoft has not officially commented, the report also mentions potential partnership talks with Netflix for subscription bundles. Former Microsoft Game Studios co-founder Laura Fryer and former FTC commissioner Lina Khan have criticized recent price hikes and business decisions.
Killing "This Is An Xbox" Campaign Was New CEO's Decision - Report
Xbox's new CEO Asha Sharma reportedly decided to end the "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign shortly after taking the helm. Sharma is also focused on improving Xbox console sales, aiming for the platform to be a "reference console" against which others are judged. This shift follows the departure of former CEO Phil Spencer and Xbox president Sarah Bond.
Xbox Partner Preview March 2026 Is A First With The New CEO
Microsoft will livestream the Xbox Partner Preview on March 26, 2026, showcasing upcoming games from third-party developers like Sega, GSC Game World, and Owlcat Games. The event will feature in-depth looks at Stranger Than Heaven, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, alongside new reveals. This marks the first preview under new Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma, following recent leadership changes.
Two more leadership exits take place at Xbox
Two more leadership figures have departed Xbox: VP of partnerships, business development, and marketing, Lori Wright, and general manager of gaming AI, Haiyan Zhang. These departures follow recent exits from other high-ranking executives at Microsoft Gaming. Haiyan Zhang will be joining Netflix's gaming team.
Microsoft Loses Corporate VP and Xbox General Manager of Gaming AI
Microsoft has seen several senior departures from its Xbox division, including corporate VP Lori Wright and general manager of gaming AI Haiyan Zhang. Zhang is joining Netflix to focus on its gaming initiatives, while Wright's future plans are unannounced. These exits follow recent changes in Xbox leadership, including the retirement of Phil Spencer and departure of Sarah Bond.
Two more senior Xbox leaders exit Microsoft
Two senior leaders, corporate VP Lori Wright and general manager of gaming AI Haiyan Zhang, have departed Microsoft after over a decade of service. Zhang will be joining Netflix's gaming team, while Wright's next steps are unannounced. These exits follow recent leadership changes at Xbox, including the retirement of Phil Spencer and the departure of Sarah Bond.
Todd Howard was "really, really sorry" to see former Xbox chief Phil Spencer retire, but says new CEO Asha…
Bethesda's Todd Howard expressed regret over Phil Spencer's departure from Xbox, but conveyed optimism about the new leadership under Asha Sharma. Sharma recently took over as CEO of Xbox following the exits of Phil Spencer and former president Sarah Bond.
Xbox Project Helix Could Be A Make-Or-Break Moment For Microsoft
Microsoft has revealed more details about its upcoming console/PC platform, codenamed Project Helix, with developer kits set to ship in 2028. Industry analysts suggest this indicates a consumer launch no earlier than 2028, potentially facing high prices due to component shortages like RAM. Project Helix is seen as a significant strategic move for Xbox, potentially marking a shift towards a PC-first ecosystem.
Will there actually be any such thing as a Project Helix "native" game? | Opinion
Microsoft's GDC keynote revealed details about Project Helix, its next-generation Xbox hardware, which appears to be a PC-like console designed for enthusiasts. The device is expected to play PC games and back-catalog titles, blurring the lines between Xbox and Windows. Key unanswered questions revolve around third-party store integration, particularly Steam, and whether dedicated 'Helix native' games will exist, suggesting a potential shift away from console-specific software.
Microsoft Seemingly Cancelled “This is an Xbox” Campaign
Xbox has seemingly discontinued its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign, with related pages on the Xbox Wire website now showing 404 errors. The campaign, which promoted the idea that various devices could be considered an Xbox due to services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Game Pass, was reportedly spearheaded by former Xbox president Sarah Bond. Bond has also announced her departure from Xbox, with Asha becoming the new lead.
Project Helix Release Date Speculation, Potential Price, Specs, And Everything We Know About The Next Xbox Console
Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that the next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, is in development and will play both Xbox and PC games, aiming to lead in performance. Speculation suggests a release around 2027, with potential pricing between $650 and $1200 due to component shortages. The console is expected to feature custom AMD chips and advanced technologies like next-gen raytracing and neural rendering.
Another longtime Microsoft executive is retiring
Rajesh Jha, Microsoft's head of Experiences + Devices, is retiring after over 35 years with the company. Jha oversaw key products like Windows, Office, and Teams. His departure follows other high-profile exits from Microsoft, including Xbox chief Phil Spencer and his successor Sarah Bond. Four members of Jha's team will be promoted to executive vice president roles reporting directly to CEO Satya Nadella.