A recent interview with Asha Sharma and Matt Booty suggests Xbox’s multiplatform shift may not be set in stone.
Xbox’s direction under new leadership is already one of the most talked-about topics in gaming, and much of that conversation stems from a recent interview with Jez Corden at Windows Central. In that discussion, the newly appointed Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma, alongside Matt Booty, addressed several key issues surrounding the brand’s strategy. While the interview covered a wide range of subjects, one theme stood out: exclusivity may not be as settled as you thought.
Since the day Asha Sharma was announced as Xbox’s new CEO, there has been an ongoing shift in tone. When she was previously asked about the importance of Xbox exclusives, her brief response, “I hear you,” caught the attention of fans. It was not a commitment to reverse course, but it signaled that she was listening. For many in the Xbox community, that alone felt meaningful.
In the latest interview, she expanded on that stance. When pressed about Xbox’s move toward a more aggressive multiplatform approach, Sharma explained that she first needs to understand the reasoning behind past decisions. She made it clear that she wants to examine what the company was optimizing for and what the current data actually says about Xbox’s long-term health. She emphasized that her priority is lifetime value, saying, “The plan is the plan until it’s not the plan.”
That statement alone suggests that nothing is locked in permanently for Xbox.
The current multiplatform strategy may remain in place for now, but it is not immune to change. If the data indicates that Xbox performed better under a stronger exclusivity model, then a pivot back in that direction could be considered. However, Sharma was equally clear that any potential change would take time. This is not a decision you should expect to see implemented overnight.
The speculation surrounding a possible return to exclusives is not coming out of nowhere. Sharma has repeatedly highlighted two priorities: refocusing on core Xbox fans and placing renewed importance on Xbox consoles. Both goals naturally connect to exclusive software. When you invest in exclusives, you give players a reason to choose your hardware. You strengthen your platform identity. You create a sense of loyalty that goes beyond services and subscriptions.
Sharma has also hinted that new hardware news may be coming soon. If consoles are going to play a larger role moving forward, exclusives become even more relevant. It is difficult to position a console as essential without games designed specifically for it.
Matt Booty reinforced a similar idea in the same interview. He stressed that Xbox is structured to operate as a first-party studio, not merely as a publisher that distributes games worldwide. Traditionally, first-party studios create titles designed to showcase and strengthen their own platforms, so this news coming from Matt Booty and Asha Sharma is uplifting to fans.
At the same time, it is important to stay grounded. Nothing in the interview guarantees a return to full exclusivity.
Sharma has not promised to reverse the multiplatform push. She has only committed to reviewing the data and making decisions that best serve Xbox in the long run. The current approach, developed under previous leadership, remains the active plan. It will continue unless the findings suggest otherwise.
But there’s a shift in tone, as you can sense a willingness from Xbox that we haven’t seen in recent times to reassess rather than double down automatically. For many Xbox fans who have been uneasy about seeing major titles launch on competing platforms, that shift alone feels significant. Exclusivity has always played a role in shaping console competition. It influences hardware sales and brand identity.
When you remove that element, you change how the platform is perceived.
If Xbox truly intends to prioritize its consoles and its established community, the conversation around exclusives cannot be avoided. The strategy over the past two years has leaned heavily toward broad availability. Whether that approach has strengthened the brand in the long term is precisely what Sharma now intends to evaluate.
For now, the multiplatform model stands. But under Asha Sharma’s leadership, you are looking at a company that appears willing to question its recent direction. The data will ultimately guide the next step. If it points toward exclusivity as a healthier path, that option remains on the table for Xbox.
