Xbox Co-Founder Says New Head’s Appointment Is A Step Towards Sunsetting The Company

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Is The End of Xbox Actually On The Cards?

Story Highlight
  • The original Xbox’s designer is skeptical about the future of Xbox following the new head.
  • He says her appointment is an indication that the Xbox brand might be slowly put to bed.
  • Microsoft is focusing on everything AI, and Xbox doesn’t seem like a part of it.

Xbox has been on a downward slope for the last few years. Its console sales are struggling, and even its software is not doing that well. To add fuel to the fire, it recently had a huge leadership shakeup, and a new head was appointed. 

The original console’s designer and Xbox’s co-founder suggests that Phil Spencer’s retirement and Asha Sharma’s appointment are a step towards completely shutting down the gaming giants, and the new head is acting like a “care doctor”. 

Why it matters: In recent years, there have been lots of talks about Microsoft shuttering its console business, but completely shutting down the Xbox brand would be a shocking move regardless of the current reputation. 

Asha Sharma Xbox
Xbox founder says that the new head will slowly sunset the company 

Talking to GamesBeat, Seamus Blackley said that Microsoft’s appointment of an AI executive as the head of gaming isn’t just a coincidence. Instead, everything non-AI, like Xbox, might be shut down for good. 

They don’t say that, but that’s what’s happening. I expect that the new CEO, Asha Sharma, her job is going to be as a palliative care doctor who slides Xbox gently into the night.

– Seamus Blackley

Sharma’s job is going to be a palliative care doctor who slowly sunsets the Xbox brand. In fact, there have been rumors that Phil wasn’t supposed to retire, but he was forced into it by Microsoft. 

xbox phil spencer
Phil Spencer was reportedly forced to retire early

Blackley weighed in on the situation, saying that the CEO is very AI-oriented and he would’ve wanted someone related to that taking over from Phil. The future of the gaming giants doesn’t seem that bright for now. 

Anyhow, Sharma has shown intent in reviving the brand. Now, if that is just to keep the audience happy will be seen, but if Blackley’s comments turn out to be true, this will be a disaster for the gaming industry. 

What are your thoughts on Microsoft completely shutting down its gaming division? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

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