Xbox to double down on its 'strongest franchises' as boss sets crazy new goals

As Asha Sharma, the CEO of Xbox, stood at the helm, she knew the company was at a crossroads. The brand's fortunes had been dwindling, and the recent layoffs and console exclusive returns had been a desperate attempt to right the ship. But Sharma had a vision, to make Xbox a behemoth of the gaming industry once more. In a tweet earlier this week, she outlined a plan to turn around the brand by the middle of 2027, a goal that would require nothing short of a miracle.

Sharma's plan was ambitious, to say the least. She wanted to focus on the brand's strongest franchises and bring in new ideas to breathe life into the company. But what does this mean for the thousands of employees who have been laid off in the past? For those who remain, the stakes are high. As Sharma herself said, "every function and every studio will own part of that outcome." This implies a sense of shared responsibility and a willingness to take risks. But can Xbox really deliver on its promises?

Xbox has undergone significant changes since Sharma took over. The company has admitted past errors and made a concerted effort to return to console exclusives with titles like Gears Of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution. But these efforts have been met with skepticism. The component crisis, which has impacted the gaming industry as a whole, has been particularly challenging for Xbox. Despite this, Sharma remains optimistic, stating that the console generates the majority of Xbox revenue and remains the foundation of their fandom.

Sharma's goals are nothing short of audacious. She wants to return Xbox to player and revenue growth by the end of fiscal year 2027, improve profits back in line with industry averages, and produce meaningful player value and revenue acceleration in the following two financial years. But what does this mean in practical terms? The company's recent decline in revenue, despite the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, has left many wondering if these goals are achievable.

The success of Xbox's turnaround plan will be measured in stages. The first stage is to return to growth by June 2027, the second stage is to produce meaningful player value and revenue acceleration, and the third stage is to scale what works. But what happens if Xbox fails to meet these goals? The consequences will be severe, and the employees who remain will be left to pick up the pieces.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Xbox must adapt to stay relevant. Sharma's plan is a leap of faith in franchise power, a bet that the company's strongest franchises can carry it through the tough times. But can Xbox really deliver on its promises?The gaming industry is at a crossroads, and Xbox is taking a bold step into the unknown. Will Sharma's plan be the catalyst for a turnaround, or will it be a recipe for disaster?