Microsoft has announced major leadership changes within its gaming division. Phil Spencer, the Executive Vice President for Gaming, will retire after a distinguished career spanning 38 years with the company, including 12 years at the forefront of its video game initiatives. Asha Sharma, currently overseeing Microsoftâs CoreAI division, has been named as his successor.
Alongside Spencer's retirement, Xbox President Sarah Bond has also made her departure public, ending speculation that she might succeed Spencer. In a related move, Matt Booty, the current head of Xbox Studios, will step into a new role as Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, collaborating closely with Sharma during this transition.
In his farewell note, Spencer revealed that he had a conversation with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella last fall about his plans to retire. He expressed a desire to 'start the next chapter of his life.' To ensure a smooth transition, Spencer will remain in an advisory capacity through the summer to aid Sharma.
Spencerâs journey with Microsoft began as an intern in 1988 and saw him rise through the ranks to become a key figure in the Xbox division. His leadership was instrumental during significant events, including the challenging launch of the Xbox One and the recent high-profile acquisitions of Bethesda Softworks and the $68.7 billion merger with Activision Blizzard.
Sharma, a relative newcomer to Microsoft with prior experience at Meta and Instacart, has shared her vision for Xboxâs future. In her introductory message, she emphasized a 'recommitment to our core fans and players,' focusing on Xbox's console heritage and expanding into PC, mobile, and cloud platforms.