Remember XP? Microsoft is bringing it into Xbox: Here is what it will do
Follow UsXbox is launching XP to expand its gaming franchises beyond video games.
XP will focus on films, products, live events and partnerships.
Kayleen Walters will lead the new division as its president.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently confirmed that the company is creating a new division which will be known as XP. Amid the layoff rumours, the company plans to scale the biggest gaming franchises into films, television, products, live events and other experiences. The new division will bring together teams and capabilities that have already worked across different parts of Xbox. Kayleen Walters has been appointed as its president of the new XP division. While games will remain at the centre of Xbox’s franchises, the new division will explore more ways for audiences to experience the worlds and characters they already love. Here’s everything we know so far about the new XP division.
SurveyWhat is Xbox XP?
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma recently posted on X, introducing a new division called XP. The new division will focus on driving the company’s growth across four key areas: Xbox Pictures, Xbox Products, Xbox Places, and Xbox Partnerships.
Today, we announced XP, a new XBOX division that will help grow our great games into experiences beyond the games themselves. https://t.co/G0Ceuc4WsY
— ASHA (@asha_shar) October 8, 2026
The company plans to bring Xbox games and characters to audiences through films, television and other forms of storytelling via the Xbox Pictures. Whereas the Xbox products will focus on merchandise and other products designed for fans.
Xbox Places is said to create opportunities for fans to come together through live events, immersive experiences, attractions, broadcasts and other destinations. Meanwhile, Xbox Partnerships will work with creators, brands and communities to develop new experiences and partnerships around Xbox franchises.
Who is Kayleen Walters?
Kayleen Walters, who has served as the president and studio head of Mojang Studios, the developer behind Minecraft, has been appointed to lead XP. She brings more than a decade of experience working with major entertainment franchises.
Walters spent 13 years at Lucasfilm, where she worked on the growth and relaunch of major franchises, while later she joined Mojang, where she helped oversee the growth of Minecraft. During her time at Mojang, Minecraft sales grew from 350 million units to more than 425 million. The merchandise business of the firms also became one of the world’s top 20.
Xbox looks beyond gaming
Xbox has already started expanding its gaming properties into other forms of entertainment. A Minecraft movie became a major success at the box office, while Minecraft has also entered theme park attractions.
With XP, Xbox is bringing these efforts under one division. The company says the focus will be on staying true to the games while finding new ways for fans, creators and partners to engage with its franchises.
