Asha Sharma to Take Over as CEO of Microsoft Gaming
A significant reorganization is underway in Microsoft’s gaming division, as Phil Spencer, the long-standing head of Xbox and Microsoft Gaming, is stepping down from his position, effective February 23rd. Asha Sharma, the current President of Microsoft’s CoreAI, is set to succeed Spencer as the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming.
Sarah Bond, the Xbox President who was seen as a potential successor to Spencer, has also resigned. In addition, Matt Booty, the head of Xbox Game Studios, has been promoted to Chief Content Officer.
Spencer expressed that he had been contemplating retirement for some time and had been working closely with Sharma for several months in preparation for the transition. In a statement, Spencer mentioned, “Xbox has always been more than a business. It’s a vibrant community of players, creators, and teams who deeply care about what we build and how we build it.”
Sharma, coming from an AI background, might not have been the most obvious choice for the role. However, she emphasized her commitment to understanding the gaming community and protecting what makes it special. She outlined three key commitments for the future of Microsoft Gaming:
- Focus on great games and empower studios
- Recommit to Xbox and its core fans
- Innovate the future of play with new business models and shared platforms
Spencer’s tenure at Microsoft saw both successes and challenges, including positive initiatives like backward compatibility and Xbox Game Pass, as well as setbacks such as delays in game releases and price increases. With Sharma taking the helm, the future direction of Xbox remains uncertain, with possibilities of new console designs and utilization of AI technology.
As Microsoft transitions to a new leadership era in its gaming division, the industry will be closely watching how Sharma steers the brand towards innovation and growth.
Source: Microsoft
