Asha Sharma reportedly tells rattled Xbox employees: “We have to find new ways, and courage, to have invention on new IP”
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Xbox’s senior vice president Asha Sharma told employees at a recent company‑wide town hall that the division must “find new ways, and courage, to have invention on new IP” and avoid relying solely on legacy franchises. She framed the call for original titles alongside Xbox’s broader strategy of consolidating around its biggest brands such as The Elder Scrolls and Blizzard, and announced further details on the upcoming next‑gen console Project Helix. The remarks, sourced from transcripts obtained by Windows Central, came as Microsoft reports a “return to growth” after a period of low performance. Observers note a contradiction between Sharma’s message and recent studio closures—including Double Fine, Compulsion and possibly Arkane—and the integration of Obsidian under Bethesda, raising questions about the company’s commitment to new intellectual property.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Sharma’s public push for fresh IP highlights a strategic tension within Xbox: the need to balance brand consolidation with genuine innovation to sustain long‑term relevance.
