According to reports, Asha Sharma tells wavering Xbox employees, "We need to find new ways and the courage to invent a new IP."

According to reports, Xbox leader Asha Sharma has pitched her plan to "create sustainable new IP" alongside the company's marketing push to rally around its biggest game brands — The Elder Scrolls, Blizzard's franchises, and more. Continue reading

If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

"If we only revive the past, we will not survive."

Xbox chief Asha Sharma has reportedly floated her intention to "create sustainable new IP" alongside the company's advertising plan to organize around its biggest gaming brands — The Elder Scrolls, Think Blizzard, and more.

Sharma apparently made the remarks during a company-wide "town hall" meeting last week, the transcript of which Windows Central claims to have seen. By the way, we've asked Microsoft to verify that this forum session took place and that the transcripts are accurate.

Sharma reportedly said this in addition to providing more information on Xbox's next-gen console Project Helix, and as he reflects on Xbox's "return to growth" after an "all-time low."

"We support our strongest franchises," Sharma said. "I want our big games to become billion-dollar global franchises. I also want to see us continue to create sustainable new IP. We won't survive if we just rehash the past. We have to find new ways and courage to innovate in new IP that reaches new sets of audiences."

It's a statement that seems at odds with Xbox's recent actions. Parting ways with studios like Double Fine, Compulsion, and possibly Arkane—all of whom have a history of creating new game ideas like Keeper, South of Midnight, Dishonored, and Deathloop—seems like an odd way to create a culture of bravery in creation. Similarly, having an innovative studio like Bethesda-run Obsidian making a Fallout game shows that there isn't room to pursue completely original ideas. But at least Xbox is investing in Hideo Kojima's Physint, right? right?

Cuts at id Software and consolidation in other parts of the Xbox games division also indicate a company that appears to be reorganizing around its biggest gaming brands, rather than taking new, creative risks. In fact, a look at Xbox's upcoming list really only reveals InXile's Clockwork Revolution — one of its two Xbox exclusives — as an obvious contender in the "big new idea" realm. But will it be strong enough to start a lasting streak?

Meanwhile, another Xbox exclusive, Gears of War: E-Day, is worried about its future after the release of its game, despite its success. This is due to the hundreds of impending cuts that Microsoft still plans to make in its Xbox division. There, uncertainty appears.

Dom recently reviewed Gears of War: E-Day for us and overall he really enjoyed it. "Though there's still plenty of waist-high covers, tidal fires, and brain-dead machismo, Gears E-Day proves that looking back can actually help you look to the future."