Xbox CEO Asha Sharma says the gaming industry has an accessibility crisis as it becomes less affordable for players due to growing hardware costs, subscription services, and competition for attention. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sharma discussed her plans for Xbox, including efforts to make game development more accessible for developers. However, some see this as an attempt to expand beyond the traditional console experience, potentially diluting Xbox’s brand.
Sharma pointed out that gamers of all ages and skill levels are essential, but notes that franchises like Call of Duty and Minecraft are not strongly associated with Xbox in many consumers’ minds. The CEO believes gaming is a “really special business,” despite its challenges. Meanwhile, Microsoft-acquired King’s head Todd Green emphasizes treating non-gamers as important for mainstream products.
The industry faces criticism over affordability, especially with the new Steam Machine priced at $1,000. While Sharma’s comments acknowledge this issue, some question whether mobile experiences like Candy Crush can address accessibility concerns. Readers are invited to share their thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on Reddit’s r/WindowsCentral.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/gaming-is-becoming-unaffordable-xbox-ceo-says-the-industry-has-an-accessibility-crisis