Hundreds of layoffs and many cancelled projects later, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly says 'we will not survive' without new IPs
Having one's cake and eating it too is meant to be a metaphor.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has reportedly emphasized the necessity of developing new intellectual properties (IP) during an internal town hall, as shared by Windows Central. The CEO stated that the company is backing its strongest franchises and aims to transform its excellent games into global billion-dollar franchises. Sharma also expressed her desire to see Xbox continue creating enduring new IP, stressing that the company cannot survive by solely relying on its past successes.
However, the transcript appears contradictory, as Xbox has recently undergone a significant restructuring, which includes canceling multiple projects from Obsidian, relegating Double Fine to independent status, and making similar decisions regarding South of Midnight and Compulsion Games. The CEO's remarks about courage and new IP invention seem to conflict with the company's recent actions, which have primarily focused on cutting costs and consolidating its portfolio.
Despite these criticisms, Xbox recently secured Hideo Kojima's studio, Ninja Theory, which could be considered a new IP development. However, this acquisition is not entirely independent, as the studio was part of a larger deal that involved other Xbox-owned studios. While the new acquisition might provide some hope for Xbox's future IP strategy, it is unclear whether it will be enough to alleviate the concerns of its existing developers who feel the pressure of recent cutbacks.
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