Overview
- Asha Sharma took over as Microsoft Gaming CEO on February 23 following Phil Spencer’s retirement, with former president Sarah Bond also exiting the company.
- Sharma told players her public Xbox profile is a shared family account and said she personally writes her social posts without using AI.
- Chief Content Officer Matt Booty said there is “no pressure from Microsoft” to force AI into games, framing tools as optional aids for tasks like coding and bug checking and reaffirming a commitment to “art made by people.”
- Original Xbox co‑creator Seamus Blackley warned the brand could be “sunsetted” under AI‑centric leadership before clarifying he does not think Xbox is dead, while former Xbox boss Peter Moore urged patience and said Sharma will be “just fine,” noting Xbox’s multibillion‑dollar business.
- Community reaction remains split, with reader polls showing cautious optimism and skepticism as Sharma pledges a “return to Xbox” starting with console hardware and teams rally internally around her early commitments.