Xbox Seeking Games Supply Strategist To Manage Global Manufacturing And Retail Launching Of Games
Will the Xbox 'Helix' support both digital and physical games?
"Colonelfancy" Mike Lind
10/20/20263 min read
Xbox posts vacancy in Supply Strategist field
Not a true specification that physical games will be supported
The digital age is taking affirm grip on the way we consume our media. It's a harsh reality that physical collecting is becoming more niche with the passing of time, and in the field of video games, it remains a contentious discussion, especially with the topic of game ownership. We have seen Sony torpedo their credibility with the public with their handling of this matter, as they intend to cut off physical game distribution hard-stop in 2028.
It's been strongly inferred that Nintendo has no plans to abandon physical games in a recent interview. Where does that leave Xbox? Since the leadership change, Asha Sharma has made sweeping overhauls to the internal workings of the green brand. Some changes have fans very intrigued, other decisions leave game fans a little baffled, like the shutting down and selling off of multiple studios, and the massive amounts of layoffs. Then there's popular decisions like teaming with Hideo Kojima for the publishing and production of PHYSINT. But it is still fairly early to determine what the future holds for them going forward.
Xbox has not necessarily made a declaration of their stance on physical games. According to Jez Corden of Windows Central, some users on social media have pointed to a vacancy on their LinkedIn page in the Xbox Games Supply Strategist field. The opening lists the description of the job:
The Xbox Games Supply Strategist will coordinate the launch of physical Xbox games across all platforms, lead development & oversee execution of global supply positioning strategies across all stages of the product life cycle, ensure that inventory is positioned to deliver working capital/cost/service goals, and oversee the sales & channel execution of those games. You’ll work closely with Product Marketing, Finance & various groups within Supply Chain to establish & manage supply and sales plan of record.
Xbox's disc to digital program will preserve your game disc collection
Every day will bring a new challenge, and you’ll be continually looking for ways to drive business profitability by planning and executing a predictable, reliable & low-cost supply chain. The ideal candidate must combine exceptional analytical capabilities, have deep supply chain knowledge & a proven track record of improving business performance by driving cross-functional alignment & exerting influence in a matrixed organization.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Microsoft and their game division will be battling an uphill fight to maintain physical media, but it would be a positive move that they don't intend to abandon a portion of their player base. One of the bigger hurdles will be an issue Xbox has created for themselves; the existence of Game Pass. The subscription service was a cornerstone in helping Xbox pull in a profit during the more dire days of the Xbox One. As time passed, the service, which initially began as a consumer friendly deal for Xbox players, hit a ceiling as costs rise and game sales on the platform stagnated.
In Xbox's own ecosystem, the gap between the digital vs physical sales of video games is the most vast of the three major companies. In the United States, physical games make only 4% of Xbox's market share, compared to a staggering 96% of digital copies sold. How Xbox will place an emphasis on making the Xbox's next console, "Project Helix" a true venture in maintaining a disc drive? Time will tell in the coming months, and potential years.
SOURCES: Windows Central, LinkedIn