ID@Xbox director predicts huge industry changes over ‘the next couple of years’

▤ Summary

Guy Richards, director of Microsoft’s ID@Xbox program, told the Digital Dragons 2026 conference that the games industry will see more change in the next couple of years than in the previous 25. He said Xbox has a number of announcements and activities planned around its 25th anniversary that focus on positioning the brand for the next 25 years rather than celebrating the past. The piece notes recent leadership changes at Xbox, including Phil Spencer stepping down and Asha Sharma taking over as CEO, as context for the company’s current flux. Richards expressed confidence in Xbox’s direction but the article emphasizes uncertainty about the long-term future of console gaming.

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