As speculation mounts around Xbox’s future amid significant restructuring and job cuts, CEO Asha Sharma has categorically dismissed any rumours of an Xbox sale. Despite a corporate reshuffle that aims to eliminate 3,200 positions by next summer, Sharma remains firm on Xbox’s direction and its relationship with Microsoft.
Studio Restructuring and Transfers
The restructuring has spurred considerable change within Xbox’s organisation this year. Three gaming studios—Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Undead Labs—have declared independence. Meanwhile, key entities such as Ninja Theory and Arkane, known for Hellblade and Dishonored respectively, face an uncertain future.
Additionally, in a notable move, Xbox transferred its historic Halo series to Activision earlier this month. Other notable shifts include Rare and World’s Edge, developers renowned for Age of Empires, now being under Activision’s wing. Obsidian Entertainment has been integrated into Bethesda, leaving only a few developers under the original Xbox Game Studios roster. These include The Coalition (Gears of War), Playground Games (Fable, Forza), Mojang (Minecraft), InXile Entertainment (Clockwork Revolution), and the remnants of Halo Studios.
Commitment to Xbox’s Future
Despite these changes indicating a more streamlined operational model possibly to entice future buyers, Sharma made it clear that sale is off the table. In an interview with The New York Times, Sharma stated, “Xbox is not for sale… We will do whatever it takes to set the company up for success, and we will look at the right partnerships, the right operating model and everything needed to achieve that.”
While some analysts suggest Xbox might operate independently yet closely with Microsoft in the future, Sharma’s comments indicate a continued commitment to the current structure. She affirmed, “We’ve got a long way to go with Microsoft, and we’re going to take the long-term view.”
Looking Forward: Upcoming Projects
In the meantime, Xbox is banking on upcoming exclusives such as Gears of War: E-Day, set to release next week, and Clockwork Revolution, scheduled for next year. Furthermore, a recent agreement with Kojima Productions on the action-stealth game Physint has been signed, after previous backing from PlayStation was withdrawn, showcasing Xbox’s ongoing strategy to bolster its game portfolio.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.