Overview
- Microsoft confirmed Phil Spencer’s retirement after 38 years at the company and 12 years leading its gaming business.
- Asha Sharma, previously president of Microsoft’s CoreAI group, will lead Microsoft Gaming, with reporting indicating the handover takes effect on February 23.
- Xbox president Sarah Bond is departing, and Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty is promoted to executive vice president and chief content officer reporting to Sharma.
- Spencer told Satya Nadella last fall that he was considering stepping back and will remain an advisor through the summer to support the transition.
- In her first memo, Sharma outlined three priorities—great games, the return of Xbox starting with console, and the future of play—while pledging not to flood the ecosystem with “soulless AI slop.”