Xbox CEO Asha Sharma Says Exclusives Essential for Platform Growth

Xbox chief executive Asha Sharma told Bloomberg that the company must balance its role as the world’s second‑largest game publisher with its ambition to become a true platform. She said, “Look, we’re the number two publisher in the world and in order to be a great publisher, you must have your games reach large audiences to play. At the same time, we’re increasingly becoming a platform, and in order to become a platform, you must have exclusive content and services.” Sharma added that Xbox is “looking very closely” at each title and will make decisions on a case‑by‑case basis.

The comments come as Xbox has begun releasing former Xbox‑exclusive franchises such as Halo and Fable on PlayStation 5, prompting debate over the future of exclusivity. Sharma noted that the first 100 days of her tenure have seen a revival in Game Pass growth and a reset of the business, and she hinted that the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase on June 7 will outline the next steps for the platform’s exclusive strategy.

Overall, the CEO reaffirmed that exclusive games remain a core pillar of Xbox’s plan to become the leading gaming and entertainment company.