Xbox’s new CEO, Asha Sharma, recently sat down for an interview to discuss the company’s future, including the potential return of Xbox exclusive games. After sharing her vision in a company-wide memo, Sharma, despite having no prior experience in gaming, appears determined to steer Xbox in the right direction.
In her conversation with reporter Stephen Totilo for the Game File newsletter, Sharma outlined her strategy to revitalize Xbox. She emphasized the importance of growing Game Pass subscribers, a goal she’s already acted on by lowering subscription prices. According to Sharma, the company needs “more players who love the subscription, that are staying longer and that are happy.”
But the real headline from this interview is the possible return of the long-lost console exclusives. Sharma revealed that Xbox will be taking a fresh look at its exclusivity strategy, using both data and company principles to guide its decisions. While she didn’t commit to a specific timeline, Sharma made it clear that more details will be shared soon, once the company has made a final decision. She also pointed out that she’s only been CEO for 60 days and wants to make the right decision, not just a quick one.
She said in the memo that Xbox would reevaluate its approach to exclusivity and AI. However, this is the first time she has explicitly mentioned bringing back Xbox-exclusive games.
Why Xbox Exclusive Games Could Be the Comeback Strategy Xbox Needs
If Xbox chooses to bring back exclusives, it could be a game-changer for the brand. Moving away from putting every Xbox title on competing platforms might help reverse the stark decline in console sales, especially since both the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 have been greatly outselling the Xbox in the current generation.
Microsoft spent $68.7 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard in 2023, and another $7.5 billion for Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media, back in 2020. With such massive investments on the line, Xbox needs to step up and prove it can win players back. A shift in strategy would show real confidence that Xbox can restore its brand and maybe even recapture the glory days of the Xbox 360, which sold an impressive 84 million units.
