Xbox CEO unveils 'new Xbox division' for game-adjacent ventures named 'XP'
Xbox launched a new division named XP to expand its franchises beyond games, led by Mojang president Kayleen Walters and reporting to CEO Asha Sharma.
Xbox announced a new division called XP focused on managing non-game ventures tied to its franchises. The division consolidates four management pillars under the acronym XP, playing on terms like "Experience Points" and "live experiences." XP will oversee projects such as Minecraft Squared, the Fallout TV series with Amazon, the Diablo animated series, and events like BlizzCon and Minecraft Live. The move aligns with Xbox’s broader strategy to prioritize major franchises and expand transmedia plans.
XP will be led by Kayleen Walters, current president of Minecraft developer Mojang and executive producer of A Minecraft Movie. Walters, who has worked at Microsoft for nearly a decade, brings a background in film from roles at Lucasfilm, MGM, and Universal. She will report directly to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma alongside Maria Angelidou-Smith, who replaces Walters at Mojang. The new structure centralizes oversight of Xbox’s extracurricular ventures under Sharma’s leadership.
The announcement follows a recent "reset" at Xbox, which included layoffs, studio divestments, and closures. As part of the reset, CEO Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty outlined a strategy prioritizing major franchises and extending transmedia plans. XP’s creation reflects this focus by consolidating efforts to expand Xbox properties into non-game media and events.
XP’s formation underscores Xbox’s push to leverage its franchises beyond traditional gaming. The division will manage upcoming projects like Minecraft Squared and collaborations such as the Fallout TV series and Diablo animated series. Physical events like BlizzCon and Minecraft Live will also fall under XP’s purview as Xbox seeks to deepen audience engagement through diverse experiences.