Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly told Microsoft gaming staff that, “after an all time low,” Xbox has “started to return to growth.” The remark comes from an internal town hall on October 6, 2026, as reported by Windows Central. It is not a public earnings statement. Windows Central later clarified that the growth she described applies specifically to first-party games, meaning the ones Xbox owns and publishes. No published data backs up the “2 to 3 times” figure she used, so it is not a company-wide growth rate.
What did Xbox’s CEO mean by returning to growth?
Windows Central, in a report by Jez Corden, says it received the town-hall transcript and verified it with trusted sources. The transcript and the growth chart mentioned in the coverage are not published. Windows Central attributes this sentence to Sharma, and the grammar is reproduced as printed:
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“We’re making the right decisions to reinvest in the business, after an all time low, we’ve started to return to growth, more than 2 to 3 times what we were, and we expect that continue.”
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Three limits apply to that sentence:
- Scope: Windows Central’s clarification says the growth was in first-party games. It does not clearly cover all of Xbox or all of Microsoft Gaming.
- Metric: “2 to 3 times what we were” has no stated metric, such as revenue, players or hours. It also has no stated comparison period. It cannot be turned into a percentage or a dollar figure.
- Source: It is the CEO’s description of the business to her own staff, not audited or independently documented data.
Is Xbox actually growing again?
The evidence does not settle this. According to Windows Central, Sharma said hours spent, players and revenue all fell at the start of the year. She said hours have since stabilized. Stabilizing is not the same as growing, and the report gives no figures for that either.
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- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
She also reportedly said the earlier Game Pass strategy contributed to “free fall” declines on the balance sheet. Windows Central presents that as her view. Neither report offers financial documentation or causal analysis. It would be wrong to say the strategy change has been shown to cause a recovery.
The other numbers from the town hall
| Claim | Attributed to | What is missing |
|---|---|---|
| 30% increase in positive brand sentiment over the prior year | Sharma, via Windows Central | Methodology, baseline and sample |
| “Strong” starts for Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons 2 and World of Warcraft Forever | Sharma, via Windows Central | Any sales, player or launch figures |
| Reset “75% through” | Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty, remarks made the previous month, per Kotaku | A precise date and what is being measured |
What does the reset change for consoles and Game Pass?
Windows Central says the strategy is organized around “core, content, creation, and connection.” These are stated priorities. None is a completed result.
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Consoles
Console investment is described as a priority, with Xbox Series X|S called “core.” Development is described as spanning Series X|S, Xbox PC and a future Helix family.
Game Pass
The report says Game Pass may become more flexible for more players, with content access tailored. It gives no final tiers, prices or launch dates.
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Other focus areas
- Xbox Play Anywhere
- A disc-to-digital program
- Cloud gaming
- Easier publishing for developers, through a simplified publishing target and streamlined APIs
No details are given for any of these beyond the names.
What is Project Helix?
Helix is the name tied to Xbox’s next generation, which Sharma called Gen 10. Windows Central attributes this description to her:
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- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
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“We are moving to a family of devices for Gen-10. There is not one device that fits all. We will certainly have a great console first, but we also know that many players will be on the go. There are some things that we are the best in the world to manufacture, and there are other things that will we partner on. So, we will be sharing more about that as our plans develop. The operating system is starting to look really good. We’re very excited about this.”
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This confirms a direction: a console first, plus devices for playing on the go. It does not name the partners, the hardware or the timing.
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
The human cost of the reset
Kotaku’s same-day report is a summary of Windows Central, not independent publication of the transcript. It adds that hundreds more staff could be laid off in the coming months. If Booty’s 75% figure is right, a quarter of the reset remains. Read the CEO’s upbeat message with that in mind. It describes a reset still in progress, not a finished turnaround.
Quick Recap
How to read the claim
- Strategy versus outcomes: The console, Game Pass and publishing plans are stated direction. The growth claim is the only outcome mentioned, and it is unquantified.
- First-party versus whole business: Growth in games Xbox publishes says little about hardware sales, subscriber numbers or overall revenue.
- What would confirm it: Microsoft’s published financial results, or release of the chart shown at the town hall. Neither was part of the coverage.
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