It sounds like things inside Xbox are getting tense. Some employees expressed that they’re deeply unsure about the leadership style of new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, feeling that the company is putting “too much listening to Twitter” at the center of its choices. According to workers and studio leaders who spoke to The Game Business, Sharma is giving more weight to social media reactions and outside consultants than to the people actually making Xbox games.
Staff members believe Sharma has brought a “start-up mentality” to Xbox, where major choices are being made in days or even hours. In the past, similar decisions would have taken several meetings and weeks of planning. One of the biggest concerns is that Xbox may be chasing approval from loud fans on X (formerly Twitter). Employees reportedly feel that some big business choices are being made to please online voices instead of following a clear long-term plan.
This concern also ties into Xbox’s focus on hardware. Some workers question why the company is doubling down on console exclusivity when the console market is not as strong as it once was. They are also unsure whether games like Gears of War: E-Day being exclusive to Xbox consoles and PC will really help sell more hardware. The head of one Xbox studio said, “We’re chasing a declining market with franchises that are past their prime.”
Employees also seem to have little confidence in the company’s current strategy. Many feel that the people who actually make the games are not being listened to enough, while outside advisers have a bigger say in important decisions.
It’s also worth noting that the The Game Business interview/article this information came from has faced some criticism after one claim about Obsidian Entertainment reportedly being in talks to avoid closure was later debunked by Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier. The outlet has since admitted that part was a “mistake.” This does not appear to affect the comments about Xbox staff and Asha Sharma, but it does mean that the information should be taken with a pinch of salt.
