Sarah Bond, outgoing president and COO of Xbox, has issued a statement following her departure from Microsoft’s gaming division. The announcement comes alongside a broader reshuffle of the division’s leadership, which also includes the retirement of long-time Xbox head Phil Spencer. Bond, who spent nine years at Xbox and two-and-a-half years as president, expressed pride in the accomplishments of her team and confidence in the division’s future direction. She will remain involved as a special advisor to incoming Xbox head Asha Sharma to support a smooth transition.
Phil Spencer Retires After Decades at Microsoft
Phil Spencer, who served as executive vice president of gaming and led Xbox for 12 years, is retiring after 38 years with Microsoft. His departure marks a significant transition for the division. Spencer has overseen Xbox through major milestones, including the expansion of Game Pass, the launch of new console generations, and numerous studio acquisitions.
Asha Sharma Takes the Helm at Xbox
Asha Sharma, previously Microsoft’s CoreAI product president, has been named the new head of Xbox. Sharma brings experience from leadership roles at Instacart as COO and at Meta as vice president. In her new position, she will lead the division through its next phase of development, focusing on cloud and console gaming, platform expansion, and content strategy. Matt Booty has also been promoted to executive vice president and chief content officer, taking on responsibility for Xbox’s gaming portfolio and studio management.
Bond Reflects on Her Time at Xbox
In a statement shared on LinkedIn, Bond highlighted the team’s achievements, including growth in PC and cloud gaming, progress on the next Xbox console, and efforts to build a more open gaming platform. She reflected on Xbox’s handling of the proposed Activision Blizzard acquisition and the challenges faced by the division in recent years. Bond emphasized the importance of new leadership for the next chapter and expressed support for Sharma’s appointment, noting her experience in technology and platform management.
Bond also acknowledged the guidance and mentorship of Spencer and the support of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. She concluded her message by reflecting on three guiding questions she has used throughout her career: whether she brought her best, helped others succeed, and completed her work to the highest standard.
Microsoft Gaming at a Pivotal Moment
Bond’s departure comes during a period of ongoing transformation at Microsoft Gaming. Since the Xbox One era, the company has invested in studio acquisitions, expanded its subscription service Game Pass, and developed its cloud gaming offerings. The division has also navigated layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations in recent years. The leadership changes signal a new chapter as Xbox adapts to evolving technology and market conditions, with Sharma and Booty taking on key roles in shaping the future of the platform.
Source: PocketGamer
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Sarah Bond and why is she leaving Xbox?
Sarah Bond served as president and COO of Xbox for two-and-a-half years and spent nine years with the company. She is leaving to pursue the next phase of her personal and professional career but will remain a special advisor to incoming leadership.
Who is taking over as head of Xbox?
Asha Sharma, formerly Microsoft’s CoreAI product president, has been appointed as the new head of Xbox. She has previous leadership experience at Instacart and Meta.
What role will Matt Booty play at Microsoft Gaming?
Matt Booty has been promoted to executive vice president and chief content officer for Microsoft Gaming, overseeing content strategy and studio management.
Why is Phil Spencer leaving Xbox?
Phil Spencer, executive VP of gaming, is retiring after 38 years with Microsoft, including 12 years leading Xbox. His retirement marks the end of a long tenure at the division.
What does this leadership change mean for Xbox?
The leadership changes reflect a period of transition for Microsoft Gaming. The new team will focus on cloud and console gaming, platform expansion, and content development, building on the foundation established over the past decade.
