Xbox’s New CEO Is Rechecking What Should Stay Exclusive
Xbox’s multiplatform era might be entering a more complicated phase.
During an Xbox all-hands meeting on April 23, newly appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma told staff that the company is looking again at how it handles exclusive games. The same message appeared in a company-wide memo from Sharma and Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty, which was later published on the official Xbox news blog.
The key line: Xbox says it will “reevaluate” its approach to exclusivity, release windows, and AI, with more details to come once decisions are made.
That sounds corporate, sure. But for players, especially those in Malaysia and SEA who often buy one main console and stick with it for years, this could matter a lot.
Xbox has been opening the door lately
For the past two years, Microsoft has been moving more Xbox games outside its own ecosystem. Games like Sea of Thieves, Forza Horizon, and Gears of War have already jumped to other platforms including PlayStation and Switch.
That strategy made Xbox feel less like a traditional console-war brand and more like a giant publisher trying to reach everyone. If you were a PS5 owner in Malaysia, that was good news. You could enjoy more Microsoft-owned games without buying another console, paying for another subscription, or rebuilding your whole setup.
Kotaku also notes that Starfield recently landed on PS5 and saw strong sales there. Upcoming titles such as Forza Horizon 6 and the Halo: Combat Evolved remake are still expected to arrive on PlayStation at launch or shortly after, and there is no indication yet that those announced plans have changed.
So for now, don’t panic-sell your PS5, bro.
But future Xbox games may not be guaranteed
The interesting part is what happens next.
Microsoft previously said that, going forward, Halo would be on PlayStation. Now, with Xbox leadership openly reviewing exclusivity and release timing, that long-term promise may not be as locked-in as fans thought.
The biggest question mark is Gears of War: E-Day, the upcoming prequel planned for 2026. At the moment, the game is announced for Xbox and PC only. No PlayStation version has been confirmed.
For Malaysian players, that means the usual platform decision becomes tricky again. Xbox Series consoles are not as dominant here as PlayStation, and many local gamers lean toward PS5, PC, or handhelds like Steam Deck-style devices. If Microsoft starts keeping more major titles on Xbox and PC, then Game Pass PC becomes more attractive locally — while PlayStation-only players may miss out again.
AI is also part of the rethink
The memo also mentions AI, though Xbox did not give specific details about what will change. That part will probably raise eyebrows among developers and fans, because AI in games can mean many things: production tools, support systems, player-facing features, or cost-cutting tech.
Until Xbox explains more, it’s hard to judge. But the fact that AI is being discussed alongside exclusivity suggests Microsoft is reassessing big-picture strategy, not just deciding whether one game gets a PS5 port.
What this means for SEA players
The practical takeaway is simple: Xbox games appearing on PlayStation may no longer be something fans should assume forever.
If you mainly play on PS5, future Xbox-owned franchises could become less predictable. If you are on PC, you are probably still in the safest position, since Microsoft continues to treat PC as a core platform. And if you subscribe to Game Pass, this may be Microsoft trying to make that ecosystem feel more valuable again.
Xbox has not shared a final plan yet, and Kotaku says it has contacted the company for more information. Until then, this is a “wait and see” situation — but definitely one worth watching if you care about Halo, Gears, Forza, or where Microsoft’s gaming strategy goes next.
Source: Kotaku
