"Xbox is not for sale" despite all of the layoffs and neat repackaging of studios within Microsoft's corporate structure, CEO Asha Sharma says

Microsoft Gaming Chief Asha Sharma has stated unequivocally that Xbox will not be sold, asserting that the company has no intention to part with its gaming division. Speaking to The New York Times, Sharma emphasized that Xbox is not for sale and that Microsoft plans to adopt a long-term perspective on the business. The layoffs that have swept through Xbox in recent months have resulted in the closure of several studios, including Ninja Theory, while others, like Double Fine, have been fully divested.

Additionally, the iconic Halo Studios has been effectively shut down and its franchise handed over to the creators of Call of Duty. Despite these drastic measures, Sharma reiterated that Microsoft remains committed to ensuring the success of the Xbox ecosystem through strategic partnerships and a restructured operating model. She affirmed that the company will explore all necessary avenues to set itself up for long-term success.

However, the decision to maintain Xbox as part of Microsoft has not been without criticism from shareholders, who are eager to divest the gaming business in favor of focusing on AI technologies. Despite this pressure, Sharma remained resolute, signaling that Xbox will continue to be a significant and aspirational product for Microsoft, even if it means operating at a loss in the short term.