What's Up with the Xbox?

Hey, you know the Xbox? It is pretty popular in all its forms, but lately has struggled to succeed as much. Well, the Xbox division of Microsoft is having a huge shake-up. To summarize, "Microsoft gaming CEO Phil Spencer's retiring, his assumed replacement and Xbox president Sarah Bond has resigned, and the suit now being tapped to take over Spenny's gig currently has the following job title: president of Microsoft’s CoreAI product." Well, that's interesting. It is a new era with Microsoft Gaming's new CEO, Asha Sharma, assuming control with the promise that Microsoft isn't giving up on the Xbox as a brand or has plans to force, "AI Slop," upon us. The Xbox isn't dead, although some have called it as much.

To return to my headline, "What's up with the Xbox?" Do you need one, really, anymore? A lot of Xbox games are going over to Nintendo and Sony devices, as well. Rebranded PCs are little handheld Xboxes, and so forth. You don't need an Xbox to play so-called, "Xbox," games...so, why? I mean, if you love the exceedingly expensive Game Pass, I can see how that can be handy for trying out games you don't get to ever actually, "Own," without plopping down more cash. I did enjoy the Game Pass, but I gave up on it with the wild price increases.  Will Sharma be able to bring us a bright new era of Xbox, or is this the first bell ringing out in the cemetery to mark the funeral procession? That's a messy metaphor, but its fitting considering how much of a mess this all seems to be. The people expected to take over Xbox in the near future are out, some random AI exec, few seem to have heard of in regard to video-games is in, and I haven't even mentioned the new AI head will be working quite closely with Sharma (a bit worrisome for promises of avoiding AI slop), and is named Matt Booty. Yes, I giggled the first time I read his name.

New CEO, Asha Sharma

The Xbox has an unclear future despite claims otherwise. I see a lot of buzzwords and flowery language, but bragging about AI integration or promising a bright new future with a, "Reinvention of play," can end up ringing hollow if not backed up by clearly evident action--and hopefully action with a positive impact. Clearly, 2026 is going to be an interesting year for the Xbox as we know it, and that's an understatement!