Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has firmly denied that the console maker is up for sale, pushing back against speculation fueled by sweeping corporate changes across the division.
The denial comes as Xbox undergoes a major restructuring that will eliminate 3,200 jobs by next summer. The overhaul has already forced three studios to become independent: Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Undead Labs. The future status of Ninja Theory and Arkane Studios remains uncertain, while several major franchises have been reassigned to other publishers under Microsoft's umbrella.
Earlier this month, Xbox transferred control of the Halo series to Activision, along with Rare and World's Edge, the studio behind Age of Empires. Obsidian Entertainment was moved under Bethesda. The restructuring left only a handful of studios directly under Xbox Game Studios: The Coalition, Playground Games, Mojang, InXile Entertainment, and the remnants of Halo Studios.
To many observers, the reorganization appeared designed to streamline the business and make it more attractive to potential acquirers. Bundling valuable studios with major franchises could theoretically make them easier to sell as a package. Sharma rejected this interpretation in a recent interview, stating plainly that Xbox remains off the market. She emphasized the company's commitment to finding the right partnerships and operating model to achieve success, while maintaining a long-term perspective within Microsoft.
Sharma's comments do not entirely rule out the possibility of Xbox being spun off as an independent entity that maintains close ties to Microsoft, a scenario some analysts have previously suggested. However, no such plans have been announced.
Looking ahead, Xbox is banking on upcoming releases to strengthen its position. The console maker expects Gears of War: E-Day to launch next week as an exclusive, followed by Clockwork Revolution next year. Sharma also recently secured a deal with Kojima Productions for the action-stealth game Physint after PlayStation withdrew its funding from the project.
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