Xbox CEO Targets Billions of Daily Players as Studio Shakeups Continue

Xbox is facing a tense period right now. After a sweeping round of layoffs and the shutdown-style sale of several studios—highlighting teams like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs—the company has effectively streamlined its lineup by moving away from smaller developers. Investment is being directed toward major, already-established franchises, including Fallout, Halo, and Wolfenstein. Even with that shift, Xbox’s long-term outlook still looks uncertain.

Mass Layoffs, Studio Exits, and a Bigger Bet on Blockbusters

The current Xbox push is built around consolidation: fewer internal studios, more focus on headline properties, and a strategy that leans heavily on larger bets rather than broad studio coverage. That approach comes as the market is changing fast—particularly around hardware and pricing.

There are also fresh concerns about the next generation. Rumors suggest Xbox’s next console, Project Helix, may launch without a disc drive. On top of that, memory shortages are reportedly pushing component costs upward, and projections indicate both the PS6 and Project Helix could land at launch with price tags of at least $1,000. With those numbers in mind, it’s getting harder for players to feel confident about committing to an Xbox platform long-term.

Project Helix, No Disc Drive Rumors, and the $1,000 Problem

Even if the software strategy is clear—leaning into major franchises—the hardware reality is becoming more difficult to swallow. If the next Xbox model truly drops a disc drive, it would further accelerate an all-digital direction. Meanwhile, escalating hardware costs are likely to reshape how many players can afford to stay in the ecosystem.

• Xbox has reportedly moved away from smaller studios after layoffs and studio sell-offs, including Ninja Theory and Undead Labs.
• Funding is being concentrated on large franchises such as Fallout, Halo, and Wolfenstein.
• Reports say Project Helix may not include a disc drive.
• Memory shortages are pushing prices higher, and PS6 and Project Helix are expected to cost at least $1,000 at launch.
• As costs rise, it becomes harder to justify buying into an Xbox console ecosystem.

Asha Sharma’s One-Billion-User Vision for Xbox

Despite the bleak backdrop, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is still speaking like the company has a huge runway. She shared an update earlier today on Twitter, laying out how the Xbox business plans to move forward and the measures being taken to stabilize things. But the statement that stood out most was her confidence in the Xbox ecosystem’s potential scale.

Sharma reportedly believes Xbox can entertain “more than a billion people each day,” framing it as a goal Xbox can realistically reach. That kind of ambition is dramatic—especially given the current hardware and market headwinds.

In her message, Sharma also argued that Xbox wants to keep physical collections relevant as the industry heads toward a more digital future. Her stated aim is to ensure people still have ways to build, connect, and engage through the platform.

Sharma’s quoted goal

She said: “I want Xbox to be one of the few companies that entertains more than a billion people each day and gives everyone the opportunity to create and connect. I know we can achieve this goal. Xbox has many of the most beloved franchises in entertainment history, talented studios around the world, and we will return to growth in 2027.”

How big is “one billion daily users,” really?

To understand the magnitude of that target, it helps to look at Xbox’s best-performing console era. Xbox reportedly sold 84 million Xbox 360 units, which remains the company’s strongest generation by that measure. For Sharma’s vision to come true, Xbox would essentially need to return to a “golden age” level of momentum and then pull in an additional hundreds of millions of people into its ecosystem—an enormous leap.

Given current trends—especially the increasing cost of consoles—some players may find the “100 million” kind of benchmark more believable than a figure approaching a billion. Either way, the contrast between Xbox’s current restructuring and Sharma’s long-range optimism is impossible to miss.

• Sharma said Xbox should entertain more than a billion people every day.
• She emphasized giving everyone the chance to create and connect.
• She pointed to major franchises and worldwide studios as the foundation for growth.
• She claimed Xbox expects a return to growth in 2027.
• She suggested Xbox is trying to keep physical collections meaningful during the shift to digital.