Microsoft is officially ditching the Microsoft Gaming title and returning to its roots. Starting April 23, 2026, the company’s gaming division will once again be known simply as Xbox.
The change was announced by the new Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma, in a staff memo titled We Are Xbox. The move is part of a major plan to fix the brand’s identity and win back players who have felt frustrated with recent changes.
Restoring the Xbox Identity
Four years ago, Microsoft changed the division’s name to Microsoft Gaming to better describe its massive structure, especially after the $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. However, CEO Asha Sharma believes that name failed to capture the brand’s true ambition.
Xbox needs to be our identity, Sharma told employees. Along with the name change, a new Xbox logo with sleek glass effects has begun appearing at Microsoft’s headquarters, signaling a fresh start ahead of the big Xbox showcase in June.
Big Changes for Players and Game Pass
Sharma isn’t just changing the name, she is reversing several controversial decisions to put daily active players first.
- Game Pass Price Cut: Microsoft has already lowered the price of Xbox Game Pass subscription plans to make them more affordable.
- Call of Duty Strategy Shift: In a major surprise, Microsoft has decided not to add new Call of Duty titles to Game Pass on day one. Instead, these games will be held back for about a year to help the business grow more sustainably.
- Focus on Fundamentals: The leadership admitted that console feature updates have been too slow and that the experience on PC, search, and social features feels fragmented. Fixing these fundamentals is now a top priority.
The North Star for the Future
The new strategy for Xbox is built on four pillars:
- Hardware: Stabilizing the current Series X|S consoles and developing Project Helix, a new initiative to lead in performance across both consoles and PCs.
- Content: Growing famous franchises like Minecraft, The Elder Scrolls, and Sea of Thieves while expanding into mobile gaming and new markets like China.
- Experience: Making Xbox the best place for developers to build games and for players to find them.
- Services: Strengthening Game Pass and reevaluating which games should stay exclusive to Xbox versus moving to other platforms.
What’s Next?
With Phil Spencer having exited the role in February, Asha Sharma is moving quickly to make her mark. By returning to the Xbox name and putting daily active players at the center of every decision, Microsoft hopes to return the brand to the glory days of the Xbox 360 era.
