- Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently responded rather uninterestingly when asked about third-party storefront support for Xbox Project Helix.
- Her response has led many to believe the hardware team could backtrack on its hybrid PC-console approach.
- The new Xbox CEO has made multiple changes already, so nothing is off the table for now.
It’s no secret that Xbox leadership has wanted to offer a more open ecosystem for consoles. With the next-gen Xbox Project Helix expected to launch at some point next year, the likes of Epic Games Store and Steam were expected to be supported on the console from day one.
However, with the arrival of Asha Sharma, nothing is set in stone for Xbox at the moment. In a new response, the CEO even hinted at plans to possibly do away with Epic Games and Steam support on consoles.
Why it matters: Many were under the impression that third-party storefront support was supposed to be the main draw of Xbox Project Helix, particularly due to its hefty expected price.
As reported on Resetera, when asked to discuss previous statements pointing to Epic Games Store support for Xbox Project Helix, Asha Sharma responded in a very interesting manner.
Instead of doubling down on something the Xbox team had been teasing for a while, she suggested that this approach may not be as set in stone as many had thought. Instead, Asha Sharma noted that she was not part of these discussions.
The CEO’s dodgy response is interesting because it hints that the team may be willing to walk back on an open ecosystem for Xbox Project Helix. Moreover, because she has already shown not to adhere too strongly to decisions made by past management, this response becomes even more peculiar.
I wasn’t part of those conversations (Steam and Epic Games support on Xbox consoles), so we’ll make those decisions going forward as a team.
-Asha Sharma
A key point in the new Xbox CEO’s messaging so far has been the return to Xbox and focus on traditional qualities of the brand.
Because this focus can conflict with the goals of a hybrid PC-console ecosystem, it’s not entirely unreasonable to expect Asha Sharma to pursue a more traditional console lifespan for Project Helix.
Do you think the current Xbox CEO will shift away from the focus on third-party storefronts? Feel free to visit the Tech4Gamers Forums to discuss.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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