Microsoft CEO rubbishes idea that Xbox division will be sold

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has rubbished the idea that Microsoft intends to sell off its Xbox division.

At the Code Conference, taking place this week in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, and reported on by The Verge, Nadella responded to a direct question about whether there were plans to say goodbye to Xbox at Microsoft.

"I have no intent to do anything different on Xbox than we are doing today," replied the Microsoft CEO. He also said the same thing about Microsoft's Bing division.

Questions about whether Microsoft might spin-off its Xbox business have been doing the rounds since Nokia chief Stephen Elop said he'd consider the move if he ended up becoming Microsoft CEO. Company cofounder Paul Allen's investment group Vulcan Capital, which has a $2 billion stake in the corporation, urged Microsoft to consider spinning off Xbox brand and focus on corporate customers.

Bill Gates has also chimed in on the debate, saying that he wholeheartedly supports Nadella's eventual decision, but a company spokesman explained to GameSpot after these comments that "Microsoft is committed to gaming across multiple platforms with Xbox as the centerpiece of our gaming strategy. We remain committed to Xbox and the millions of Xbox fans around the world."

Xbox One launched last November and, despite stronger sales than its predecessor the Xbox 360, the machine isn't lighting up tills like Sony's PlayStation 4. Earlier this month Microsoft conceded on its vision for a Kinect as an integral part of every Xbox One, and will begin selling a Kinect-free Xbox One for $399 in early June.

Microsoft will show off its latest Xbox One wares at E3 2014.