The top Xbox executive in India is leaving as part of Microsoft’s worldwide job reductions, according to two sources. Arjun Varma, who led the Strategic Markets division for Xbox in the country, is exiting after weeks of limited hardware availability. The move signals a pullback by the company in India, where console supplies have been restricted.
Microsoft recently confirmed a 2 percent global workforce cut, with reports showing impact on the Xbox division. The firm encounters challenges both worldwide and in India, where Sony’s PlayStation holds a much larger share of the console market.
A company spokesperson and Mr. Varma did not reply to requests for comment. Last year Xbox introduced cloud gaming servers in Mumbai and Chennai, though uptake remains unclear. In a July email, global head Asha Sharma noted that cloud services and other initiatives had not expanded as hoped, citing low margins and investment losses.
Console gaming stays limited in India, with PlayStation and Xbox sales under 10 lakh units this generation. Mobile gaming dominates, and rising hardware costs from component shortages make PC and console options less accessible.
