New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma rejects “soulless AI slop” and backs consoles

Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma has pledged a renewed commitment to Xbox consoles, signalling continued investment in dedicated hardware while rejecting what she described as “soulless AI slop”.

In an email to employees announcing her appointment following Phil Spencer’s departure, Sharma said the “this is an Xbox” approach would extend to future console development.

She described her tenure as marking “the return of Xbox” and added, “We will celebrate our roots with a renewed commitment to Xbox, starting with the console which has shaped who we are. It connects us to the players and fans who invest in Xbox, and to the developers who build ambitious experiences for it.”

At the same time, Sharma reiterated Microsoft’s broader cross-device strategy. “Gaming now lives across devices, not within the limits of any single piece of hardware,” she wrote.

“As we expand across PC, mobile, and cloud, Xbox should feel seamless, instant, and worthy of the communities we serve. We will break down barriers so developers can build once and reach players everywhere without compromise.”

Addressing future content plans, Sharma said Xbox would continue to support titles that “take risks” and expand into new categories alongside Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty. “We will invent new business models and new ways to play by leaning into what we already have: iconic teams, characters, and worlds that people love,” she said.

She added that Xbox would “not chase short-term efficiency or flood our ecosystem with soulless AI slop,” emphasising: “Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans, and created with the most innovative technology provided by us.”

Her comments set out a strategy combining console development with wider platform expansion.