Microsoft Forms Xbox Media Division XP Led by Kayleen Walters

Investing.com··USGB·Read original
2▲2 ▼0Impact / 5
Summary · why it matters

Microsoft is creating a dedicated division within its Xbox business to license, adapt, and monetize its marquee gaming franchises across non-gaming media. The new unit, called XP, short for Experience Points, will unify film and television adaptations, consumer merchandise, corporate partnerships, and live events that were previously managed across separate studio teams. Former Mojang executive Kayleen Walters has been named President of XP, bringing franchise management experience from Minecraft and more than a decade overseeing Star Wars licensing and products at Lucasfilm. Microsoft also appointed former Meta and Reddit executive Maria Angelidou-Smith as Chief Executive Officer of Mojang and Minecraft, where she will oversee operational and technical development of the flagship property as Walters moves to her cross-franchise role. XP will oversee a slate including a Diablo animated series with Netflix, a planned Call of Duty feature film, and a Minecraft theme park attraction scheduled to open in London in 2027, though Microsoft said XP will act as a centralized brand management arm rather than a standalone production studio.

Impact on assets 4

Communication Services▲
Netflix Inc
NFLX
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

Netflix is named as partner for a Diablo animated series under Microsoft's new XP media unit.

Artificial Intelligence▲
Microsoft Corporation
MSFT
▲ PositiveCapitalrelevance

Microsoft creates a new XP division to license and monetize its Xbox gaming franchises across film, TV, merchandise, and live events.

Spatial Computing / AR/VR▲

Off-coverage companies 2

Mojang Studiosi
Private± MixedCapitalrelevance

Mojang gets a new CEO as Kayleen Walters moves to lead XP, a leadership change with no clear positive or negative impact.

Lucasfilm Ltd.i
Private± Mixedrelevance