Xbox CEO Says Division Can't Survive on Revivals Alone
Asha Sharma told an Xbox Town Hall held in the week before publication that Xbox must keep creating enduring new IP, not just revive past franchises.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told staff at an Xbox Town Hall, held in the week before publication, that the division will not survive if it relies only on reviving its past franchises, according to Windows Central.
Sharma said Xbox is backing its strongest franchises and aims to turn its great games into billion-dollar franchises, while also continuing to create enduring new IP that reaches new audiences.
She also discussed opportunities to grow King and the casual gaming segment. Sharma said some IP, including Halo and Sea of Thieves, has been moved under Activision, and hinted that more simplification could follow.
Restructuring context
Xbox has been restructuring over the past summer, with thousands of job losses through cuts and divestitures, and studios such as Ninja Theory, Double Fine and Compulsion have been spun off or shut down. Titles like Monopoly Go and Block Blast have eaten into Candy Crush's casual gaming market share in recent years, and hardware stock levels have collapsed amid the RAMpocalypse, driving down opportunity within Xbox's ecosystem.
In an interview with Windows Central at the start of the year, Chief Content Officer Matt Booty said "everything big once started as something small" regarding new IP investment. Microsoft has partnered with Hideo Kojima on PHYSINT, with movie and TV rights in development through Xbox's XP entertainment licensing division.
Quick answers
What did Xbox CEO Asha Sharma say at the Xbox Town Hall?
Sharma said Xbox will not survive if it only relies on reviving its past franchises, and that it must continue creating enduring new IP.
Which Xbox IP has been moved under Activision?
Sharma said Halo and Sea of Thieves have been moved under Activision, and hinted more simplification could follow.
Is Xbox working on new IP with Hideo Kojima?
Microsoft has partnered with Hideo Kojima on PHYSINT, with movie and TV rights in development through Xbox's XP entertainment licensing division.