Xbox CEO Asha Sharma addressed staff in a recent town hall with a message on balancing legacy franchises and fresh ideas. She stressed backing billion-dollar brands like Elder Scrolls and Blizzard titles while insisting the division cannot survive by only reviving the past. The remarks came amid ongoing restructuring that includes studio divestitures and layoffs.

Transcripts reported by Windows Central and covered by Eurogamer detail Sharma's call for "enduring new IP" that reaches new audiences through invention and courage. She noted Xbox has started returning to growth after an all-time low, citing strong starts for titles like Gears of War: E-Day. Upcoming projects such as InXile's Clockwork Revolution appear positioned as potential new franchise starters.

The timing stands out given recent moves that pared back studios known for original work, including Double Fine and Compulsion, with some projects shifted or affected. Sharma also referenced Project Helix as a family of devices and ongoing simplification of studio structures. Community and media reactions on X highlight the tension between the stated ambition and the track record of cuts.

Whether the push translates into sustained investment in unproven ideas remains to be seen amid the broader reset.