Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has firmly denied any suggestions that the console division is up for sale. Speaking to The New York Times, Sharma stated, "Xbox is not for sale… We will do whatever it takes to set the company up for success, and we will look at the right partnerships, the right operating model and everything needed to achieve that."
These remarks come in the wake of a significant corporate restructuring at Xbox, which has included substantial layoffs across multiple first-party studios. A total of 3,200 jobs are slated to be cut before next summer. This period of change has seen several studios become independent, including Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Undead Labs. The future of Ninja Theory and Arkane Studios remains uncertain.
Further complicating the landscape, Xbox has recently transferred control of key franchises and studios. Activision, the publisher of the Halo series, has taken ownership of the entire Halo franchise. Rare and World's Edge, known for titles like Fable and Age of Empires respectively, have also been placed under the Call of Duty publisher's purview. Obsidian Entertainment has been integrated into Bethesda.
These organizational shifts have led some observers to speculate that Microsoft might be preparing to sell off Xbox assets. However, Sharma's comments indicate a strong commitment to turning the console maker's fortunes around, emphasizing a long-term strategy with Microsoft.
Sharma also noted that the company is pursuing new opportunities and partnerships, including a recently signed deal with Kojima Productions for the action-stealth game Physint, a project that reportedly lost PlayStation's funding. Upcoming Xbox console exclusives such as Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are expected to play a role in the brand's future strategy.