Microsoft Gaming Reportedly Scrapped As Asha Sharma Promotes 'Return Of Xbox' At MS HQ

Update []: This has now been made official in a major wide-reaching statement by Xbox:

"Our best work happens when the full stack moves together. “Microsoft Gaming” describes our structure but it does not describe our ambition. So, we are going back to where we started and changing our team’s name."


Original Story: It's been a busy few months for Asha Sharma as she settles into her new role at Xbox, and it sounds as though she's rounding out that initial period by promoting a complete "return of Xbox" over at Microsoft HQ.

According to Tom Warren of The Verge, the new Xbox boss has ditched the 'Microsoft Gaming' branding - going back to referring to everything as 'Xbox'. In fact, Warren even goes as far as saying that "Microsoft has now plastered the 'return of Xbox' slogan on the walls of its Xbox offices this week".

"Microsoft has now plastered the 'return of Xbox' slogan on the walls of its Xbox offices this week, along with 'great games' and 'future of play.' This is the same message as Sharma’s initial memo to Xbox employees in February, and part of her early work to make a mark with big decisions on Game Pass and the Xbox platform."

In terms of the reasoning behind this, Warren says "sources" have mentioned that Sharma told employees "Xbox needs to be our identity" - and that the whole Microsoft Gaming umbrella was a departure from that identity. It's worth noting that this is reported information at present, although with Xbox's recent direction and The Verge's track record, we're inclined to believe it for now.

Finally, Warren also shares a new post from the Xbox social media manager, which showcases a new logo over at Microsoft HQ.

What do you make of this move? Chat to us about Xbox and Asha Sharma down below.

[source theverge.com]