Sarah Bond, recently celebrated as the Xbox president for nearly two years, sat down for an engaging video interview with Fortune Magazine. The discussion delved into her journey from her previous roles at McKinsey & Company and T-Mobile to her current passion for gaming and leadership at Microsoft.
Xbox’s Hardware Vision
A focal point of the interview was the future of Xbox hardware within the company’s innovative multiplatform strategy. Bond emphasized that Xbox’s journey begins with the console, promising that the next iteration will deliver a “powerful experience.” Reports suggest that the forthcoming Xbox hardware might surpass Sony’s PlayStation 6 in power. This aligns with Bond’s statement about the console’s core importance and its role in enhancing player experiences across various devices, including PCs and the cloud.
Rumors had sparked concerns about Microsoft’s commitment to the console market due to declining sales of the Xbox Series S and X. However, Bond reassures that Microsoft remains dedicated to developing new hardware.
The Evolving Xbox Game Pass
Shifting the conversation to Game Pass, Bond shared insights into Xbox’s broader vision beyond merely emulating Netflix’s model in gaming. She highlighted the flexibility Xbox offers, allowing players to subscribe, buy, and curate their game libraries according to preference. This approach also supports developers in choosing their monetization strategies, aiming for widespread accessibility and choice for both gamers and developers.
The recent 50% price increase for the Game Pass Ultimate tier, now the sole option for accessing all first-party games on release, has sparked conversations. Yet, Bond’s comments underline Xbox’s commitment to diverse consumer and developer options as central to their strategy.