The Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma, stated that Microsoft's gaming division is not for sale, in response to speculation about a possible separation of the business. At the same time, the executive left open the possibility of changes to the operation's structure and new partnerships as the company reorganizes its gaming strategy.
“Xbox is not for sale,” Sharma said in an interview with New York Times, as reported by Game Developer. The executive added that the company will evaluate “the right partnerships” and “the right operational model” to put the business in a position to grow in the long term.
The statement establishes a clear limit on speculation about a sale, but it does not mean that Xbox's current configuration is preserved. Microsoft has already been changing the division's structure, its portfolio of studios, and the way it distributes games.
In July, the company announced the elimination of about 4,800 jobs across Microsoft and reported that the changes would primarily affect the commercial and Xbox organizations. At the time, it also confirmed that four gaming studios would begin operating under new management, with the intention of preserving their intellectual properties and projects.
Microsoft itself stated in that announcement that it was restructuring Xbox to position the business for the long term and indicated that other changes would still occur.
Xbox structure continues to undergo transformation
Sharma took over leadership of the gaming operation in February. At the time, Microsoft reported that its gaming products and services reached more than 500 million monthly active users and emphasized that it would continue investing in hardware, content, and community.
Since then, the reorganization has placed different components of the operation under review, including studios, game development, and relationships with partners. The statement this week indicates that this process may also extend to the way Xbox is structured within Microsoft.
The central point is that the company distinguishes a possible sale of the division from changes in its operation. Sharma ruled out the first hypothesis, but stated that the company will continue seeking the structure and partnerships necessary to make the business sustainable.
For Microsoft, this keeps decisions open about how Xbox organizes its studios, distributes its games, and works with other companies, without so far indicating a separation from the company.
The executive also stated that Microsoft will adopt a long-term view for the division. For now, the confirmed direction is Xbox's continuity within the group, while its operational structure continues to be reshaped.
