Video game exclusives have long been a major selling point for consoles, but in recent years, Microsoft appears to have shifted away from that approach. The company has started releasing more first-party titles on other platforms such as PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, with several future games also planned for multi-platform launches. Still, the question remains: could Microsoft ever return to a more exclusive-focused strategy? New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma hasn’t completely dismissed the idea.
“Right now, I need to understand things more clearly,” Sharma told Windows Central. “I want to know why certain choices were made, what goals they were meant to achieve, and what the data says about Xbox’s current direction. I’m focused on long-term value rather than short-term gains. The strategy stays in place until it no longer makes sense.”
It’s also important to note that Microsoft has seen strong results from bringing its games to PlayStation, with several titles topping sales charts in 2025. The only real inconsistency in this approach has been timing—some games launch simultaneously across platforms, while others arrive later after spending months as timed exclusives on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Two key examples are Fable and Forza Horizon 6, both developed by Playground Games. Forza Horizon 6 will reach PS5 after its Xbox debut, while Fable is set for a same-day release on both platforms.
Another point Sharma hinted at concerns long-term brand growth and whether exclusivity could help strengthen Xbox’s identity. After all, if players can eventually buy the same games on PS5, there’s less incentive to choose an Xbox console in the first place.
Last week proved to be a turbulent time for Xbox, following Microsoft’s announcement that Phil Spencer and his successor-in-line, Sarah Bond, were stepping away from the gaming division. Sharma officially began her role earlier this week, and Xbox creator Seamus Blackley commented that she will soon learn just how impatient and demanding the gaming community can be. Sharma has also stated that she hopes to bring Xbox back to its core values and encourage her teams to create games with deeper emotional impact.
