‘We’ll Start To See Radically Different Business Models’ - Xbox Boss Talks Future Of Consoles
Xbox executive Asha Sharma addressed the future of gaming consoles in an interview with Fortune, highlighting how rising component prices and supply shortages are creating industry-wide challenges. Sharma emphasized that these pressures are forcing hardware manufacturers to reconsider traditional console business models.
According to Sharma, Xbox is exploring alternative approaches to console cost construction and pricing strategies to make gaming more accessible to a broader audience. The company is also investigating new partnership models that could improve distribution and market reach, signaling a potential shift away from traditional vertically-integrated approaches to hardware sales.
Sharma stressed the importance of creating diverse participation options for consumers, indicating that future consoles may come in different configurations or pricing tiers rather than a single unified product. The comments reflect ongoing industry challenges related to hardware costs and supply chain disruptions, with manufacturers seeking innovative solutions to maintain profitability while keeping products accessible to consumers.