More than 1 to 2 Xbox console exclusives will be possible once “the business is healthy,” according to company CEO Asha Sharma.
In an interview with Fortune, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma was asked about the company’s recent decision to make upcoming titles such as Clockwork Revolution and Gears of War: E-Day console exclusives, a major shift from the console maker’s prior approach of making first-party games available on as many platforms as possible. In her response, she said that the decision reflects Xbox’s evolving position as both a publisher and a platform holder.
“Look, I think that we are the number two publisher in the world, and when you do that, you want your games to be everywhere,” said Sharma. “You’re stronger when the world plays with you.” However, she noted that Xbox’s growing focus towards being a platform has also changed the company’s thinking. “At the same time, we are increasingly becoming more of a platform, and it’s hard to find examples of platforms out there that don’t have exclusive services and content.”
Rather than indicating a full return to the traditional exclusivity model, Sharma described the move as a gradual process tied directly to the financial health of the Xbox division. The executive acknowledged that the company continues to face significant challenges, including declining hardware revenue and other industry pressures. “This is a journey for us,” Sharma explained. “Our business isn’t particularly healthy, as you noted, and so we’re starting by introducing 1 to 2 signature exclusives.”
The Xbox CEO further stated that the number of exclusive games may increase in the future if Xbox’s financial performance improves. “As the business is healthy, we will look to try and do more,” she said.
Sharma’s statement comes shortly after the recent Xbox Games Showcase 2026, where the company revealed 2 exclusives and highlighted what she described as the “return of Xbox.”
