- Xbox executive Matt Booty has outlined his goal to focus on consistency for first-party games.
- He believes focusing on a robust roadmap and consistent quality is the key to success.
- The executive believes this focus will eventually help Xbox win Game of the Year for one of its releases.
Xbox’s acquisition spree over the last five or so years finally started delivering results in 2023. Since then, the gaming giant has continued to deliver a solid lineup of first-party games, and this trend is expected to continue in 2026.
With the likes of Halo Campaign Evolved, Forza Horizon 6, and Gears of War: E-Day coming later this year, the gaming giant expects big things from its first-party titles. However, according to a prominent executive, Xbox is aiming even higher and hopes to deliver award-winning titles for the future.
Why it matters: Despite the praise for Xbox titles, the gaming giant has not won a Game of the Year award or been nominated for one in many years, something that the leadership hopes to fix soon.

In an interview with GameFile, Xbox EVP Matt Booty was asked to share his thoughts on Xbox’s plans to prioritize quality now that the gaming giant no longer has a shortage of first-party releases.
As the executive puts it, the solution to improve quality is as simple as honing in on the fundamentals of game development and going all in. In particular, he emphasized a “predictable cadence, robust roadmap, and aim for quality.”
According to Matt Booty, a continued focus on these three elements should eventually net Xbox a Game of the Year win. This is something Microsoft is still missing, and the executive believes it would be a true lightning in a bottle moment for the company.
Nailing those fundamentals could create the conditions for winning Game of the Year.
-Matt Booty

Xbox competition, including PlayStation and Nintendo, has already won at least one Game of the Year title in past years. It appears that Microsoft’s gaming division is also focused on the same goal now.
Many expect GTA 6 to sweep the awards show this year, but because Xbox has so many big releases in the pipeline for the coming years, the likelihood that it will end up taking home the award is far from low.
What do you think about Microsoft’s ambitions? Do you think it will be able to take home Game of the Year eventually? Share in the comments and on the Tech4Gamers Forums.
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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.


