Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated she has not yet decided on returning to console exclusives, opting for a data-driven approach. In an interview and open letter released on April 24, Sharma and content chief Matt Booty outlined plans to fortify Game Pass, invest in hardware affordability, and establish a predictable content cadence. The announcements coincide with a new Xbox logo and leaks of a Game Pass Starter Edition.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who assumed the role 60 days ago following Phil Spencer's retirement, addressed the future of console exclusives in an interview with Stephen Totilo of Game File. She said, 'We'll take a data-driven approach and a strategic-driven approach, and then we'll look at our principles and we'll make some calls.' Sharma described such choices as 'long-swinging decisions that have decade-long impact' and declined to provide a timeframe, noting, 'Nothing we're ready to commit to. We'll share more when we're ready.' She emphasized, 'I want to make the right decision, not the fastest decision.' Earlier, her company memo mentioned reevaluating approaches to exclusivity, windowing, and AI, amid Xbox's shift to multiplatform releases like Starfield on PlayStation 5. Xbox leaders Asha Sharma and Matt Booty released an open letter acknowledging Xbox as a 'challenger' brand facing player frustrations over infrequent features, weak PC presence, and pricing. They pledged to make Xbox 'affordable, personal, and open' with flexible pricing, while prioritizing daily active players through hardware, content, experience, and services. Booty highlighted a 'predictable cadence, robust roadmap, aim for quality' for studios. Sharma affirmed investments in current-generation hardware as a 'first-class experience' and efforts for more affordable devices worldwide. On the same day, Booty unveiled a new Xbox logo on social media, featuring a vibrant green evoking the 2001 original design. Separately, leaks revealed a potential Game Pass Starter Edition at $9.99 monthly, bundled with Discord Nitro, over 50 games, 10 hours of cloud streaming, and rewards—aligning with plans to fortify the service after a recent Ultimate tier price cut.
