Asha Sharma Says Xbox Wants New Franchises
CEO Asha Sharma says Xbox won't survive by simply reviving the past and advocates for investment in new IPs.
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Image credits: Xbox
According to information from Windows Central, which had access to unauthorized transcripts shared by reliable sources, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated during an internal meeting last week that the company needs to balance its investment in its biggest franchises with the creation of new intellectual properties.
The executive acknowledged that Xbox is undergoing profound changes, with cuts and divestments in studios such as Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and Compulsion.
"We're backing our strongest franchises. I want our great games to become great global billion-dollar franchises. I would also like to see us continue to create enduring new IP. We will not survive if we only revive on the past. We have to find new ways, and courage, to have invention on new IP, that reaches new sets of audiences", said Sharma.
The statement addresses a growing concern among fans and developers that Xbox is abandoning creativity in favor of safe franchises like Fallout , Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft. Sharma also commented on the opportunity to grow King and the casual gaming segment, where titles like Monopoly Go and Block Blast have been eroding Candy Crush 's market share in recent years.
The executive reiterated the decision to simplify the studios, moving franchises like Halo and Sea of Thieves to Activision, and suggested that more "simplifications" may be on the way.
In July, the executive announced 1,600 layoffs and the sale of at least four studios; in September, Xbox confirmed another 268 cuts and further consolidations. According to The Information, Sharma also intends to accelerate the production of games from franchises such as Halo, Fallout, and The Elder Scrolls, while reducing investments in teams considered less of a priority.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has shown support for Sharma's strategy and praised the "optimization" she has been implementing on Xbox. But there are those who are not satisfied with the measures adopted by Sharma. Recently, Chris Hays, lead iD Software programmer, spoke openly about the fallout from the Xbox cuts and said it has become “impossible to develop AAA games on the same scale as the team’s previous work.”
