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adamsapple · 2026-06-05T00:39:23+0100

Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma has reiterated that she is looking "very closely" at the platform's exclusive content strategy, and suggested her first 100 days in charge have been a success.

Speaking during a Bloomberg Live event on Thursday (transcribed by VGC), Sharma was asked about her early lessons in charge of Microsoft's gaming arm and again pressed on its exclusivity strategy.

Sharma previously claimed that Xbox would "reevaluate" its approach to exclusivity, suggesting she was listening to the Xbox players who feel the platform has lost value due to Microsoft's decision to bring its first-party games to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.

"It's a tough topic," she said during Friday's Bloomberg event. "Look, we're the number two publisher in the world and in order to be a great publisher, you must have your games reach large audiences to play.

"At the same time, we're increasingly becoming a platform, and in order to become a platform, you must have exclusive content and services. And so, we're looking at that very closely.

"I think that we have to be very thoughtful about each title, on how we want to think about it, and learn from some similar cases in the industry, and that's what we're doing."

LordCBH · 2026-06-05T00:40:31+0100

If they want to claw some of their platform share back, they have to. But does Satya have the stomach for it?

PauloRoberto · 2026-06-05T00:41:01+0100

Ill repeat my self: "At the same time, we're increasingly becoming a platform...", 4 generations and 25 years and xbox still is NOT a platform ?! :-D

Artistic · 2026-06-05T00:43:02+0100

LectureMaster · 2026-06-05T00:43:38+0100

My man adam when hearing Asha promises EXCLUSIVE CONTENTS for XBOX

My man adam when releazing by EXCLUSIVE CONTENTS Asha meant pride cosmetics DLC in Call of Duty:

Kacho · 2026-06-05T00:46:30+0100

I think their in-house stuff is fine. Halo, Forza, Gears, etc. But don't do that with Bethesda or Activision games. And don't start skipping Steam.

Portugeezer · 2026-06-05T00:49:05+0100

LectureMaster said:
My man adam when hearing Asha promises EXCLUSIVE CONTENTS for XBOX

My man adam when releazing by EXCLUSIVE CONTENTS Asha meant pride cosmetics DLC in Call of Duty:

Yeah, "content" and "services" is doing a lot here.

TheAmazingSpiderMan · 2026-06-05T00:49:43+0100

I think if they really wanted to get some more Xboxs out the door they should pull Cod, leave it okay PC but not PS, I know they'll never do that as they need to recoup the purchase but that's one of the ways they could sell more hardware.

SupremeJ · 2026-06-05T00:50:43+0100

- COD, all in!

If Sony did it, Microsoft can do it too.

Cumulus · 2026-06-05T00:50:44+0100

To make that whole "exclusives sell hardware" idea work you need real must play exclusives though. Something Microsoft largely still sucks at even after spending nearly 80 billion on acquisitions...

CLW · 2026-06-05T00:51:34+0100

adamsapple said:
"At the same time, we're increasingly becoming a platform, and in order to become a platform, you must have exclusive content and services. And so, we're looking at that very closely"

It's been a QUARTER CENTURY and XBOX still isn't a platform but don't worry guys is increasingly close to becoming one

adamsapple · 2026-06-05T00:51:39+0100

LectureMaster said:
My man adam when hearing Asha promises EXCLUSIVE CONTENTS for XBOX

My man adam when releazing by EXCLUSIVE CONTENTS Asha meant pride cosmetics DLC in Call of Duty:

Sevyne · 2026-06-05T00:52:37+0100

All content is Xbox exclusive when everything is an Xbox.

Instant_Classic · 2026-06-05T00:54:47+0100

She gets it.

Exclusives give platforms an identity and purpose investing in its ecosystem.

DonkeyPunchJr · 2026-06-05T00:56:50+0100

Grow some balls and cancel Forza Horizon 6 for PS5 and refund everyone. It's not too late.

Deficit · 2026-06-05T00:57:50+0100

Cringe

xBlueStonex · 2026-06-05T00:58:33+0100

Elder Scrolls 6 being announced as an exclusive would be big. Also hold off on releasing it on PC for like 6 months and watch console sales skyrocket.

Bring WoW exclusively to Xbox and bundle it in with Gamepass.

Cancel the Halo and Gears: EDay port to PS5. Sony has been a huge dick this entire time, fuck 'em.

Let them have Horizon 6, but then state that all future Horizon games will only be on Xbox moving forward. Give them a taste and make them beg for more.

I can keep going, Asha call me if you need more ideas.

Instant_Classic · 2026-06-05T00:59:18+0100

xBlueStonex said:
Elder Scrolls 6 being announced as an exclusive would be big. Also hold off on releasing it on PC for like 6 months and watch console sales skyrocket.

Bring WoW exclusively to Xbox and bundle it in with Gamepass.

Cancel the Halo and Gears: EDay port to PS5. Sony has been a huge dick this entire time, fuck 'em.

Let them have Horizon 6, but then state that all future Horizon games will only be on Xbox moving forward. Give them a taste and make them beg for more.

I can keep going, Asha call me if you need more ideas.

This

Deficit · 2026-06-05T00:59:23+0100

xBlueStonex said:
Elder Scrolls 6 being announced as an exclusive would be big. Also hold off on releasing it on PC for like 6 months and watch console sales skyrocket.

Bring WoW exclusively to Xbox and bundle it in with Gamepass.

Cancel the Halo and Gears: EDay port to PS5. Sony has been a huge dick this entire time, fuck 'em.

Let them have Horizon 6, but then state that all future Horizon games will only be on Xbox moving forward. Give them a taste and make them beg for more.

I can keep going, Asha call me if you need more ideas.

"Also hold off on releasing it on PC for like 6 months and watch console sales skyrocket."

Miyazaki’s Slave · 2026-06-05T01:01:05+0100

Candy crush is on mobile and web…so there ya go.

Keep those exclusives locked down Mrs. Sharma!!

SupremeJ · 2026-06-05T01:17:26+0100

There needs to be a cheaper Helix console too. Each SKU should run all Steam games, many exclusives and full backward compatibility.

$599 SKU = Series X tier + RDNA5 + FSR5

$999 SKU = POWER!

bitbydeath · 2026-06-05T01:17:27+0100

Exclusive to Windows store or are they dropping PC?

EverydayBeast · 2026-06-05T01:19:19+0100

Who knows if the core games can get electric again like during the 360 era. Here's E-Day coming along, Forza Japan just released, if Halo, and Fable could join the fight they maybe have a chance.

Kacho · 2026-06-05T01:19:59+0100

bitbydeath said:
Exclusive to Windows store

It's possible but it would be a waste of time like being exclusive to the Epic Game Store.

Dacvak · 2026-06-05T01:23:12+0100

Smart move. Exclusives are probably the only way to drive console sales at this point. I don't imagine they'll drop PC ever, but it wouldn't surprise me if the PC stuff was only available on the Xbox store/game pass.

I feel like this might be too little too late, though. I'd love to see Xbox make a comeback. Competition is always good for the consumer.

Simpdimples · 2026-06-05T01:30:36+0100

they have the ips to fight playstation and steam, would they be successful though? we've been shown time and time again how incompetent they are.
i think even if they had some banger titles ( wow 2, minecraft 2, diablo 5, an awesome elder scrolls, pie in the sky shit) i feel like they've run the brand so far into the ground though, they would have to bomb a gen without playstation or steam. and i highly doubt the shareholders are into that. not even taking into account the insane prices were all experiencing too.

Mr.ODST · 2026-06-05T01:34:18+0100

Simpdimples said:
they have the ips to fight playstation and steam, would they be successful though? we've been shown time and time again how incompetent they are.
i think even if they had some banger titles ( wow 2, minecraft 2, diablo 5, an awesome elder scrolls, pie in the sky shit) i feel like they've run the brand so far into the ground though, they would have to bomb a gen without playstation or steam. and i highly doubt the shareholders are into that. not even taking into account the insane prices were all experiencing too.

Think this is what she meant by a full reset of the platform / business, basically get rid of all the stuff Phil etc built up with the whole "Everythings an Xbox", no doubt gonna be some tought stuff for Xbox fans from what they are used to but if they actually sort Halo out and potentially make the newer titles exclusive etc then that will no doubt drive people to the system (I know Halo Studios hasnt done great apart from maybe Halo 5 in some cases).

SNG32 · 2026-06-05T01:40:02+0100

I think what they might do is timed exclusives and it will vary from title to title in regards to coming to other platforms. I can see Xbox doing a similar strategy to what Sony was doing with PC ports to other platforms. I expect games like Call of Duty and Doom to launch day and date on other platforms.

DarkLordOtaku · 2026-06-05T01:41:54+0100

She also called Windows the most storied and successful gaming platform, and acknowledged that their target market for growth wants an open platform.

SupremeJ · 2026-06-05T01:44:32+0100

Open platform... All store, full modding, exactly like the XBox Ally?

TexMex · 2026-06-05T01:45:30+0100

Asha needs to check to see what Colt Eastwood has tweeted today before she can really weigh in with firm direction

Kacho · 2026-06-05T01:46:56+0100

SupremeJ said:
Open platform... All store, full modding, exactly like the XBox Ally?

We don't know yet but they are stressing it's a console, so probably not totally open.

rm082e · 2026-06-05T01:47:33+0100

I'd love to see it, but I just can't see how it would happen. Not unless the CEO is on board with letting the Xbox division into the red real bad.

ChorizoPicozo · 2026-06-05T01:48:42+0100

Instant_Classic said:
This

That was a joke

AJUMP23 · 2026-06-05T01:49:19+0100

Just make halo good.

Coloress_Kafka · 2026-06-05T01:54:28+0100

Ok….. so now walk in Nadella's office and tell him the massive reduction in revenue will mean they have to write down the Bethesda and Activision acquisitions.

Jesb · 2026-06-05T01:56:34+0100

Why not start a remake studio. Start remaking Lost Oddysey, crimson skies, banjo ect. Ask 3rd parties if they can do remakes and there all exclusive. There's some things they can do.

S0ULZB0URNE · 2026-06-05T02:01:00+0100

"hear ya" so that partially explains Xbox failures.

BacklashWave534 · 2026-06-05T02:01:03+0100

xBlueStonex said:
Elder Scrolls 6 being announced as an exclusive would be big. Also hold off on releasing it on PC for like 6 months and watch console sales skyrocket.

Bring WoW exclusively to Xbox and bundle it in with Gamepass.

Cancel the Halo and Gears: EDay port to PS5. Sony has been a huge dick this entire time, fuck 'em.

Let them have Horizon 6, but then state that all future Horizon games will only be on Xbox moving forward. Give them a taste and make them beg for more.

I can keep going, Asha call me if you need more ideas.

You do realize that PC is a huge part of their customer base, right?

semiconscious · 2026-06-05T02:03:06+0100

'you're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything...'
- david byrne

//DEVIL// · 2026-06-05T02:03:35+0100

Lol called it. When they confirmed that they are gonna put logos of the platform when they show games this Sunday, some of these games are gonna be Xbox / PC exclusives.

SNG32 · 2026-06-05T02:03:49+0100

Dacvak said:
Smart move. Exclusives are probably the only way to drive console sales at this point. I don't imagine they'll drop PC ever, but it wouldn't surprise me if the PC stuff was only available on the Xbox store/game pass.

I feel like this might be too little too late, though. I'd love to see Xbox make a comeback. Competition is always good for the consumer.

Why would they drop PC when they have established their platform on there. Hell they are basically implementing an Xbox mode on PC's. Helix is pretty much a PC. If anything they are doubling down on PC more than ever.

ReasonBeing · 2026-06-05T02:06:09+0100

At this point, I don't understand why they would bother. Say they go full exclusive, they release a $900+$1,200 console, and then are stuck selling to maybe 5 million consoles. Just make Xbox a PC with a fixed spec and try to fight off the rise of Linux/SteamOS gaming PC's. Their main focus should be in an effort to protect Windows market share.

Edit: I recognize that they will also be selling to PC owners in addition to those 5 million consoles, my main focus is their limited opportunity in the console space. They have allowed the erosion of too many of their console customers to come back and really compete, in my opinion.

DreamcastSkies · 2026-06-05T02:08:31+0100

Some of their 1st party titles are selling tons of units on PS5 and Switch/S2. I believe exclusive content matters but I've wondered if launching first and featuring best optimization (and maybe some exclusive content?) might be a middle ground where they can continue to release their 1st party games on other consoles but provide Xbox fans with the best versions of these games. It would be cool if Xbox could have their exclusive games back, it's just hard to see it happening when Forza Horizon 5 sold 5 million copies on PS5. If they do something insane and decide to at least keep some of their 1st party titles fully Xbox exclusive, that might push me to buy an Xbox console. Xbox has way more appealing 1st party IP for me than Playstation does.

Knucklepux · 2026-06-05T02:09:30+0100

So you mean to tell me that NOT having exclusives was a bad idea?? Who could've guessed??

I mean

Netflix, Disney +, Hulu, Paramount, Shudder, Steam, Epic, Nintendo, PlayStation, HBO, MGM, Apple Store, Peacock, Apple TV, Prime, etc… All have exclusive content

But no.. XBOX can survive without

Satya is a retard

Topher · 2026-06-05T02:09:55+0100

HeisenbergFX4

Destin says it is refreshing to have a "no bs leader" all of the sudden. The Xbox world has turned on Phil Spencer

pudel · 2026-06-05T02:10:37+0100

semiconscious said:
'you're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything...'
- david byrne

Thats seems to be the main criteria to make career at Microsoft.

Knucklepux · 2026-06-05T02:12:10+0100

DreamcastSkies said:
Some of their 1st party titles are selling tons of units on PS5 and Switch/S2. I believe exclusive content matters but I've wondered if launching first and featuring best optimization (and maybe some exclusive content?) might be a middle ground where they can continue to release their 1st party games on other consoles but provide Xbox fans with the best versions of these games. It would be cool if Xbox could have their exclusive games back, it's just hard to see it happening when Forza Horizon 5 sold 5 million copies on PS5. If they do something insane and decide to at least keep some of their 1st party titles fully Xbox exclusive, that might push me to buy an Xbox console. Xbox has way more appealing 1st party IP for me than Playstation does.

You know it's weird though because Sony obviously knows that The Last of Us, God of War, Horizon, etc… would all sell incredibly well on Xbox. But they don't do it. Because they know protecting the brand is more important

So why can't Xbox do it? I get they currently don't have the market share but how would they possibly grow that??

If they are committed to being a platform and not a publisher only, then you need to protect your brand

So unless they're setting up to have new flagship IPs instead of Halo, Gears and Forza… they need to reverse course

DreamcastSkies · 2026-06-05T02:12:12+0100

Knucklepux said:
So you mean to tell me that NOT having exclusives was a bad idea?? Who could've guessed??

They were in a dire spot. Xbox/MS has tons of developers to pay for. If the Xbox consoles aren't moving units, they can't sell their games. If they can't sell their games, they can't pay staff and make a profit. But if they go full 3rd party publisher, what exactly is the point of the Xbox console? It's a mess of a situation. They never should have purchased Activision. They had enough 1st party fire power if they had just committed to their brand, studios, and exclusive IP after the Id/Bethesda purchase.

SNG32 · 2026-06-05T02:12:17+0100

DreamcastSkies said:
Some of their 1st party titles are selling tons of units on PS5 and Switch/S2. I believe exclusive content matters but I've wondered if launching first and featuring best optimization (and maybe some exclusive content?) might be a middle ground where they can continue to release their 1st party games on other consoles but provide Xbox fans with the best versions of these games. It would be cool if Xbox could have their exclusive games back, it's just hard to see it happening when Forza Horizon 5 sold 5 million copies on PS5. If they do something insane and decide to at least keep some of their 1st party titles fully Xbox eclusive, that might push me to buy an Xbox console. Xbox has way more appealing 1st party IP for me than Playstation does.

They definitely will have exclusives on the Xbox platform. I don't see every game they release going multiplat atleast not right away. I don't see any of their flagship games after the ones that were initially announced going to other platforms day and date from Microsoft.

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