Xbox Game Pass is back in the spotlight, as new Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma wants to talk with ex-PlayStation executive Shawn Layden about the subscription service’s future. Over the years, Xbox Game Pass has been a go-to service for a lot of gamers, but it could be in need of some improvements if it wants to be a sustainable platform.
The beginning of this year saw a notable shake-up in management at Xbox, as longtime Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer’s retirement announcement caught a lot of gamers by surprise. What was even more unexpected was that his expected successor, Sarah Bond, also left the company after his departure was announced. His position was taken over by Asha Sharma, and her first months as the new Microsoft Gaming CEO have been intriguing. Now, she wants to have a conversation with Shawn Layden following his recent comments about Xbox Game Pass.
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Asha Sharma Wants to Talk About Xbox Game Pass’ Future With Ex-PlayStation Exec Shawn Layden
Ex-SIE America President and CEO Shawn Layden recently replied to a LinkedIn post discussing a leaked Xbox memo that revealed Asha Sharma’s views on Xbox Game Pass. She believed that the subscription service was too expensive, which prompted Layden to comment that Xbox is “trying so hard to will this into health, despite unfavorable diagnostics and a grim prognosis.” Sharma replied to his LinkedIn comment, simply saying, “I would love to chat sometime.” Shawn Layden’s Game Pass comments clearly piqued her interest, but it’s unclear what exactly she wishes to discuss with the former PlayStation exec.
Asha Sharma has only been the Microsoft Gaming CEO for a short amount of time, but she has already made some big changes. She recently took to Twitter to announce that a Game Pass Ultimate price change will be happening, with the subscription changing from $29.99 to $22.99 a month. The main downside to this is that new Call of Duty games will no longer be day one launches, but they will still eventually come to the platform later down the road.
There was a lot of controversy surrounding the Game Pass price increase last year, and Sharma addressing the service’s cost as one of her first major decisions as CEO is a bold move. In both the leaked Xbox memo and her recent tweet, Sharma has voiced her desire to evolve Game Pass and make it a stronger platform for gamers. How this will be done remains a mystery, but her willingness to discuss Game Pass with Layden is interesting. As the new Microsoft Gaming CEO, Asha Sharma has been eager to take on feedback, whether it’s been from gamers or fellow industry executives.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Only time will tell if Sharma and Layden end up meeting, but it’s an intriguing possibility. The subscription service has been a great way for gamers to check out new titles that they may have skipped over otherwise, so games on Xbox Game Pass will hopefully be able to reach more players after the Ultimate price decrease and Sharma’s planned platform changes. It’s still very early in her Xbox career, so it’s going to be fascinating to see what other decisions she makes as the year continues.
