Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has directly rejected speculation that Microsoft could sell or spin off its gaming business, saying that Xbox is not for sale.
The statement comes during a major restructuring effort inside Microsoft Gaming that has included thousands of job cuts, project cancellations, studio closures, and changes to how several major teams are managed.
Sharma said Microsoft is focused on finding the right operating model and partnerships needed to improve the business rather than preparing Xbox for a sale.
| Area | Recent change |
|---|---|
| Xbox ownership | CEO says Xbox is not for sale |
| Workforce | Thousands of jobs cut |
| Studios and projects | Closures, cancellations, and restructuring |
| Halo | Management reportedly moved to Activision |
| Obsidian | Reportedly placed under Bethesda |
| Forza teams | Playground and Turn 10 combined |
| Kojima partnership | Microsoft picked up another Kojima project |
Asha Sharma rejects Xbox sale speculation
Microsoft's recent restructuring has led some analysts to question whether the company might eventually separate Xbox from the wider Microsoft business or reduce its involvement in gaming.
Sharma addressed that speculation directly in a recent interview.
She said Xbox is not for sale and added that Microsoft will do what is necessary to position the company for long term success.
According to her comments, that could involve changing partnerships, organizational structures, and operating models, but not selling the Xbox business.
The statement is one of the clearest responses so far to speculation surrounding Microsoft's gaming strategy.
Xbox Reset has brought major internal changes
The speculation did not emerge without context.
Microsoft has been carrying out what has been described as an Xbox Reset, with the goal of making its large gaming operation more efficient and improving revenue.
That process has included significant layoffs across Microsoft's gaming studios.
Projects have also been cancelled, while some studios and teams have either been shut down, reorganized, or placed under different management structures.
These moves have created uncertainty around the future shape of Xbox even as Microsoft continues to invest in new games and partnerships.
Halo reportedly moves under Activision
One of the most significant changes mentioned in the supplied material is the reported transfer of responsibility for Halo to Activision.
Activision is best known for Call of Duty and became part of Microsoft following the company's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Handing Halo to another major internal publishing and development organization would represent a major structural change for one of Xbox's longest running franchises.
The supplied report presents the move as part of Microsoft's wider restructuring rather than evidence that Xbox is preparing to leave gaming.
Bethesda takes responsibility for Obsidian
Obsidian Entertainment has also reportedly been moved under Bethesda's management.
Both companies already operate inside Microsoft's gaming organization, but placing Obsidian under Bethesda would further consolidate management across Microsoft's role playing game studios.
The supplied material does not provide detailed information about how this change affects individual development teams or current projects.
Forza teams are being combined
Microsoft has also reportedly combined Playground Games and Turn 10 into a single organization around the Forza franchise.
Turn 10 has traditionally developed the Forza Motorsport series, while Playground Games is responsible for Forza Horizon.
Bringing the two teams closer together could reduce duplicated management structures and simplify development across the wider racing franchise.
Again, the move fits Microsoft's broader effort to streamline its gaming operations.
Microsoft is still making major game deals
The supplied report also points to Microsoft's recent agreement with Hideo Kojima as evidence that Xbox continues to invest in future projects.
Microsoft reportedly picked up an action espionage game after Sony cancelled the project.
Kojima now has two games in development under Xbox, although both may still be several years away from release.
Those commitments suggest that Microsoft is continuing to build a future software pipeline even while reducing costs and reorganizing its studios.
Nadella supports the restructuring effort
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella has also publicly commented on the restructuring.
He described the streamlining work being carried out under Sharma positively and said he was pleased with the progress.
Those comments attracted criticism because they came after large numbers of job losses across Microsoft's gaming business.
Still, they reinforce Microsoft's position that the restructuring is intended to reshape Xbox rather than prepare it for a sale.
Xbox remains part of Microsoft's long term gaming strategy
The current picture is therefore one of consolidation rather than exit.
Microsoft is reducing staff, cancelling projects, reorganizing studios, and changing management structures, but it is also continuing to support major franchises and sign new development agreements.
Sharma's statement removes some of the uncertainty around ownership.
For now, Microsoft's public position is clear: Xbox is staying inside the company, while the gaming business continues through one of the biggest reorganizations in its history.
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