Microsoft’s Xbox has launched a new film and television arm called Xbox Pictures, which will work with Hollywood production companies to adapt its gaming IP into movies and series, extending the brand’s reach beyond the video game market. However, Xbox stressed that the new division is not a production company. Instead of overseeing shoots itself, it will focus on finding the right creative partners.
According to an official Xbox announcement, Xbox Pictures sits within the newly formed XP division, whose name is a nod to the gaming term “experience points.” Former Mojang chief Kayleen Walters has been appointed president and will oversee efforts to expand Xbox’s gaming IP across the entertainment industry.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined the new structure in an internal memo: “XP is a play on ‘Experience Points’ and formalizes four investment areas for us: Xbox Pictures for film and television adaptations; Xbox Products for licensing and merchandise; Xbox Partnerships for sponsors and brand partners; and Xbox Places for our marquee broadcasts, in-person events, theme parks, and other location-based entertainment experiences.”
Sharma said Xbox franchises can mean more to fans than the time they spend playing the games. With Walters’ industry experience, the company hopes to broaden their reach while preserving the qualities that made players care about them in the first place. Walters previously spent 13 years at Lucasfilm, working on cross-media initiatives for “Star Wars.” She also served as an executive producer on “A Minecraft Movie” and is involved with its sequel.
Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball said XP will bring together film and television, licensing, and events operations that were previously spread across several teams. Games will remain the foundation for these ventures, allowing Xbox franchises to reach new audiences in different formats while deepening engagement with existing players. The reorganization also underscores Microsoft’s ambition to build its gaming brands into enduring entertainment franchises rather than relying solely on game sales.
Addressing whether the new division will produce movies and television projects itself, Xbox told GamesBeat: “The focus of XP is finding the right creative partners. It is not a production company. It is about working with the right partners to expand our worlds beyond games in ways that remain true to the spirit of the original properties.” That means Xbox will concentrate on licensing its IP and coordinating partnerships rather than taking full control of the creative process. 
A sequel to “A Minecraft Movie” is currently in development, while the “Fallout” series is moving ahead with a third season. Netflix’s “Gears of War” movie, meanwhile, has yet to show clear signs of progress. Previous reports also indicated that Xbox has been pitching Hollywood on potential adaptations of franchises including “The Elder Scrolls,” “Diablo” and “Halo,” though no new projects have officially been announced.
via： GamesRadar+