Xbox Leadership Announces New Vision: Affordable, Personal, and Open Platform

In a message sent to Xbox employees around the world, Asha Sharma and Matt Booty have laid out their vision for Microsoft’s video game business. The new leadership team emphasized that the Xbox platform “will be built to be affordable, personal, and open,” marking a strategic shift as the division celebrates its 25th year.

A Name Change Back to Xbox

One of the most notable announcements in the internal memo was the decision to drop the “Microsoft Gaming” moniker that had been used in recent years. The team will now be called simply “Xbox” again, reinforcing a return to the brand’s core identity. This change aligns with the leadership’s goal of strengthening the platform’s connection with players and creators.

Fortifying Game Pass with Sustainable Economics

Asha Sharma and Matt Booty outlined plans to “fortify Game Pass” by focusing on sustainable economics. This initiative aims to ensure the long-term viability of the subscription service while continuing to deliver value to subscribers. The memo did not specify exact metrics but indicated that financial sustainability is a key priority for the service moving forward.

Strengthening the 5-Year Game Slate

The leadership team committed to “strengthen our 5-year slate” of games, signaling a focus on long-term content planning and pipeline stability. This effort is intended to provide a more predictable flow of first-party titles for Xbox players, addressing past concerns about inconsistent release schedules.

Stabilizing Gen9 Consoles as a Healthy Base

Another key goal mentioned in the memo is to “stabilize Gen9” — referring to the Xbox Series X|S consoles — “as a healthy and high-quality base.” This suggests a focus on ensuring the current generation of hardware remains reliable, performant, and well-supported throughout its lifecycle, providing a solid foundation for both players and developers.

Reevaluating Exclusivity, Windowing, and AI

The memo addressed ongoing questions about Xbox’s approach to exclusivity by stating that the team “will reevaluate our approach to exclusivity, windowing, and AI, and share more as we learn and decide.” This indicates a potential shift in strategy regarding how and when Xbox games are released on competing platforms, as well as how artificial intelligence is integrated into the gaming experience.

Leadership Transition and Industry Context

Asha Sharma officially took over as Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming in February 2026, succeeding Phil Spencer, who is set to fully retire from the business later this year. Matt Booty was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, reporting to Sharma. Their combined experience — Sharma’s background in scaling consumer platforms and Booty’s deep roots in game development — positions them to lead Xbox into its next era.

As Xbox marks its 25th anniversary, the division faces evolving challenges, including shifting user behaviors, increased competition from non-gaming entertainment platforms, and ongoing industry conversations about the role of AI in gaming. The leadership’s vision reflects an effort to adapt to these changes while staying true to the core principles of accessibility, creativity, and community that have defined the Xbox brand.

Key Takeaways

• Xbox leadership has outlined a vision centered on an affordable, personal, and open platform.
• The internal team will revert to the name “Xbox,” dropping the “Microsoft Gaming” label.
• Priorities include fortifying Game Pass, strengthening the 5-year game slate, and stabilizing Gen9 hardware.
• The approach to exclusivity, windowing, and AI will be reevaluated.
• Asha Sharma and Matt Booty now lead the division following Phil Spencer’s impending retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Xbox dropping the “Microsoft Gaming” name?

The leadership stated that returning to the “Xbox” name reinforces brand identity and signals a renewed focus on the platform’s core mission of serving players and creators.

What does “fortifying Game Pass” mean?

It refers to efforts to make the Game Pass subscription service more economically sustainable while maintaining its value proposition for subscribers through a strong and steady flow of content.

Will Xbox games still be exclusive to its platform?

The memo indicates that exclusivity strategies are under review. Xbox will reevaluate its approach to exclusivity and windowing, with more details to be shared as decisions are made.

Who is leading Xbox now?

Asha Sharma is the Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, with Matt Booty serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer. Both report directly to Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft.