Sarah Bond
Reporting and statements that mention Sarah Bond.
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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.
Xbox Layoffs Are Not Done Yet
Microsoft has announced an additional 268 layoffs within its Xbox division as part of a broader business reset. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited factors like underperforming Game Pass investments and industry hardware crises for the restructuring. Further staff reductions are expected as the company continues its overhaul.
After 25 Years, Halo Is Finally On PlayStation
Halo: Campaign Evolved has launched in early access on July 23, marking the first time a Halo game has been available on PlayStation consoles after 25 years of Xbox exclusivity. Developers aim to reconnect the community and reach new audiences by bringing the franchise to PlayStation 5 and other platforms. This move is also seen as a financial strategy for Microsoft, which has seen success with its multiplatform releases.
Xbox Game Pass was a good idea in theory, former Forza Horizon 5 director says, but "the reality is not enough people have subscribed"
Former Forza Horizon 5 director Mike Brown believes Xbox Game Pass was a good concept but failed due to insufficient subscriber numbers at necessary price points, leading to studio closures and layoffs. He noted that while the service was player-focused and funded many games and studios, the financial reality did not align with Microsoft's ambitious expectations. Brown also expressed admiration for former Xbox leaders Sarah Bond and Asha Sharma.
"The concept of [Xbox] Game Pass was good" despite its eventual faceplant now contributing to mass job losses, reckons Forza Horizon 5 director
Mike Brown, former creative director for Forza Horizon 5, believes the concept of Xbox Game Pass was fundamentally good, despite its current struggles leading to significant layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division. He suggests that while the service was a well-intentioned, player-focused idea, it failed to gain enough subscribers at the necessary price point to be financially viable. Brown also defended Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, acknowledging their roles in the Game Pass push while noting the harsh criticism they face on social media.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma pins layoffs on Phil Spencer's regime spreading the company "too thin", while claiming a "a healthy Xbox" could weather the RAM storm
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma attributes recent layoffs and studio closures to a strategy of spreading resources too thin under Phil Spencer's leadership. Sharma suggested that a healthier Xbox would have been better equipped to handle the current hardware crisis, implying that the company's current struggles are a direct result of past strategic decisions.
Microsoft Spent $80 Billion On Its Bet For Xbox Game Pass. It Did Not Work.
A report indicates Microsoft spent nearly $80 billion over the past decade on initiatives to boost Xbox and Xbox Game Pass, but these efforts did not meet growth expectations. Despite significant investments in acquisitions and third-party deals, Game Pass subscriber numbers have stagnated, leading to recent layoffs and studio divestitures as Microsoft aims to refocus its strategy.
Xbox Game Pass reportedly boasts around 30m subscribers
Xbox Game Pass reportedly has around 30 million subscribers, a figure below Microsoft's 2026 projection of 77 million users. New CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged that while the service and multi-platform strategy have provided value, growth has not met expectations, leading to recent staff cuts and a strategic reset for Xbox. The service has seen fluctuations in subscriber numbers previously, with a price increase in 2025 followed by a reduction that reportedly improved acquisition and retention.
Xbox Layoffs 2026: What Microsoft's Reset Means for Average Gamers
Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone a massive restructuring, cutting approximately 3,200 jobs in fiscal year 2027 and shuttering or spinning off five studios, including Ninja Theory and Arkane Lyon. This move comes despite Microsoft's overall profitability, with Xbox reportedly struggling with low profit margins and a failed attempt to achieve a 30% accountability margin. The article analyzes the business decisions, including Game Pass accounting and price hikes, that led to these layoffs and discusses the implications for gamers, including potential changes to hardware strategy and game exclusivity.
007 First Light studio IOI facing layoffs as Xbox pulls funding for Project Fantasy RPG
Xbox has withdrawn funding and publishing support for IO Interactive's online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy. This decision will lead to layoffs at the Hitman and 007 First Light developer. Xbox stated they are re-evaluating investments to focus on their highest priorities, though they maintain their overall investment in games remains the same.
Xbox reportedly stops signing third-party Game Pass deals
Xbox has reportedly halted new third-party deals for Game Pass, with sources indicating that developers were informed of a pause in negotiations. This decision comes as new Xbox boss Asha Sharma assesses the company's strategy following significant acquisitions and a recent price increase on consoles. While the future of third-party content on Game Pass is uncertain, the service remains a key component of Xbox's business model.
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.
Report: Former Xbox president Sarah Bond and Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick linked to Peter Thiel's secret society
Former Xbox president Sarah Bond and Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick have been linked to 'Dialog,' an exclusive society founded by Peter Thiel. Internal records exposed by a hacktivist revealed the names of 113 individuals associated with the group, which convenes for off-the-record retreats discussing various topics, including geopolitical events and technology.
Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios boss steps down after less than two years, amid major changes for the platform
Craig Duncan has stepped down as head of Xbox Game Studios after less than two years, with chief of staff Louise O'Connor also departing. Duncan, formerly head of Rare, oversaw numerous studios during his tenure. Matt Booty will temporarily lead the studios until a replacement is found, amidst broader leadership changes at Xbox under Asha Sharma.
New Xbox Exec Advocates For Something Everyone Hates To Help Save Gaming
Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball suggests that in-game advertising could be a solution to rising development costs and consumer reluctance to pay more for games. He points to the success of ad-supported tiers in streaming services as a model. Ball acknowledges past negative reactions to in-game ads but argues that companies need to explore such revenue streams to keep products affordable and fund development.
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski believes Xbox is "steering the 'ship' back in the right direction", as E-Day skips PS5
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski believes Xbox's decision to make Gears of War: E-Day an Xbox console exclusive, rather than releasing it on PlayStation 5, is a positive move for the brand. He suggests that previous multi-platform strategies may have alienated the core Xbox fanbase. The upcoming title will feature Versus and Horde modes and is set to launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S on October 6th.
XBOX CEO Says New Business Model is Needed “Rather Than Premium, High-Performance” Consoles
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company is exploring new business models for consoles, moving away from solely focusing on premium, high-performance hardware due to rising costs. This approach contrasts with previous statements from Sarah Bond about a "very premium" next-gen console. Industry analysts suggest cloud gaming subscriptions as a potential alternative for budget-conscious gamers.
Xbox console exclusives are returning on a 'case-by-case' basis
Microsoft is re-prioritizing Xbox console exclusives, starting with Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution, to encourage hardware purchases. This marks a shift from the previous multiplatform strategy, with exclusivity decisions now being made on a case-by-case basis under new Xbox president Asha Sharma. Large multiplayer and live service titles will continue to be multiplatform.
Xbox Clarifies Its Exclusivity Strategy Moving Forward, Wants You To Buy An Xbox
Xbox executive Matt Booty clarified Microsoft's evolving stance on game exclusivity, stating that major multiplayer and live-service titles will continue to be multiplatform. However, he emphasized that Xbox still wants compelling reasons for players to buy an Xbox console, suggesting a case-by-case approach for new releases like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution, which are console exclusives.
Gears of War: E-Day reportedly no longer coming to PlayStation 5
Gears of War: E-Day has reportedly been made an Xbox console exclusive and will no longer be released on PlayStation 5. The game is slated for an October 6th release and will be available day one on Game Pass. This decision appears to be a recent change following shifts in Xbox's leadership and strategy regarding multi-platform releases.
