Xbox Co-Creator Thinks New CEO Is There To Sunset Xbox Brand

Seamus Blackley believes the recent changes at Microsoft Gaming are intended to sunset the Xbox brand.

Seamus Blackley was a game developer who helped create the original Xbox, which launched 25 years ago. In the last quarter-century, the Xbox brand has reached the heights and fallen quite far from that perch.

Seamus Blackley Thinks Xbox’s End Is Near

Recently, Microsoft Gaming underwent a massive restructuring, with Phil Spencer retiring and Asha Sharma becoming the new CEO. Now, Blackley is speaking out about why he believes this move will ultimately spell the end for the Xbox brand.

In an interview with GamesBeat, Blackley explained that he believes many Microsoft businesses that aren’t related to the CoreAI business, the department that Sharma worked at previously, are being sunsetted. As such, he believes that Sharma’s role is to move the Xbox brand out of the picture.

“Xbox, like a lot of businesses that aren’t the core AI business, is being sunsetted. They don’t say that, but that’s what’s happening. I expect that the new CEO, Asha Sharma, her job is going to be as a palliative care doctor who slides Xbox gently into the night,” he said.

Asha Sharma’s Public Stance Has Been Polar Opposite

Publicly, Asha Sharma, who officially assumed her duties today after the announcement on Friday, February 20, has touted a rebirth of the Xbox brand. She claims that she’s focused on revitalizing the brand and recommitting to core Xbox players. A social media account tied to her has even been hearing out fans’ suggestions, including a return to console-exclusive games.

Everything is still fresh regarding the changes at Microsoft, but time will tell whether this is a reset or the sunset for the Xbox brand. Another thing that’s fresh is Asha Sharma’s gamer profile. Learn more about that, and why it’s set off some alarms for players, at this link.

What do you think is in store for the future of Xbox? What do you hope to see going forward? Sound off in our official Discord server. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.