Asha Sharma is Re-evaluating Xbox Exclusives

In recent years, Xbox has adopted an attitude of progressive openness of its library to the outside, choosing to forgo having exclusives on its consoles. This inclination has been criticized by many: many have wondered what the point of owning a Microsoft console would be if all its games are also available elsewhere. The topic of exclusives was touched upon by the new CEO of Xbox, Asha Sharma.

Xbox's Stance on Exclusives

Sharma (via VDC) points out an apparent contradiction: Microsoft is the second-largest video game publisher in the world, which would suggest that opening its ecosystem to as many platforms as possible benefits it by reaching a wider audience. At the same time, however, Microsoft is a console manufacturer, and exclusive content and services are needed to drive a platform. 

What Sharma believes should be done is to reconsider the approach to exclusivity, evaluating the best strategy for each individual game and trying to learn from similar cases in the industry. Can we perhaps read between the lines a possible return of absolute exclusives to Xbox? Time will tell, but in the meantime, you can delve deeper into the discussion about Asha Sharma with this episode of our podcast.