Xbox “Has No Desire” To Make Hardware Anymore, Founding Team Member Says

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Next year signifies the 25th anniversary of Xbox, however, one of the original team members, Laura Fryer, who is no longer with Xbox, has voiced her doubts about a particular aspect of Microsoft’s gaming division. In a recent post, Fryer expressed her thoughts on Microsoft’s recent partnerships for handheld and console devices, suggesting that the company seems uninterested in producing hardware anymore.

On her YouTube channel (through IGN), Fryer pointed out that the forthcoming ROG Xbox Ally portable devices will lack exclusive games to boost sales, and further emphasized that Microsoft’s collaborations with Asus on the handheld device and AMD on the next-gen Xbox hint at a bleak future for its console offerings.

In his own words, Fryer expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of Xbox, stating that he’s disheartened to see the value he contributed being gradually diminished over time. From his point of view, it seems as if Xbox is either unwilling or unable to produce hardware anymore, which suggests a gradual withdrawal from the hardware business altogether. In essence, Fryer believes that the future of Xbox hardware appears bleak.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve seen firsthand how remasters of timeless games like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered have truly struck a chord with the gaming community. However, I can’t help but wonder if Xbox has what it takes to consistently churn out new blockbuster titles.

On the bright side, Microsoft is sitting on a goldmine with Game Pass. Yet, I believe that relying solely on this service may not be enough to boost hardware sales significantly.

Previously serving as Vice President of Xbox Live and Game Pass, Mike Ybarra offers an alternate perspective on Microsoft’s strategy regarding X. Although Ybarra shares the view that Microsoft might be scaling down in terms of hardware production, he is convinced that if Microsoft concentrates solely on becoming a dominant player in the gaming publishing industry, it could achieve the largest scale among its competitors.

Ybarra wrote that they must swiftly determine what requires adjustment. I’m a devoted fan, forever sporting green… Choose your path and stay committed… To me, it’s straightforward: Xbox should aim to be the global leader in entertainment content production. Eliminate distractions and focus. Don’t shy away from declaring who you are. Be proud of your chosen path… Straddling multiple paths doesn’t lead to victory.

This week might see layoffs at Microsoft’s gaming sector, according to a recent report. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has frequently stated that reductions in Xbox staff are necessary for the company to maintain profitability. Despite this, Microsoft’s latest quarterly earnings showed a 13% increase in net revenue ($70.1 billion) and an 18% rise in net profit ($25.8 billion). Notably, the Xbox division also experienced growth in year-over-year revenue.

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2025-06-30 17:39