She’s heralding ‘the return of Xbox.’
Microsoft’s gaming chief, Phil Spencer, has announced his departure after 12 years at Xbox and nearly 40 years total with Microsoft. Asha Sharma is stepping in as his successor, transitioning from her role leading Microsoft’s AI enterprise teams. Her past experiences include COO of Instacart and overseeing messaging apps at Meta.
In her initial memo, Sharma committed to revitalizing Xbox, focusing on new game categories and rooted in player desires, while maintaining that games will remain human-crafted art, steering clear of excessive AI implementation.
Sharma also noted the evolving roles of monetization and AI, hinting at Microsoft’s ongoing pursuit of ‘Xbox Everywhere.’ She emphasized a renewed dedication to Xbox consoles while also aiming to expand across PC, mobile, and cloud platforms.
Full Memo from Asha Sharma:
Dear team,
Today, I embark on my role as CEO of Microsoft Gaming.
I feel humility and urgency simultaneously. Humility because of the extraordinary legacy this team has built. Urgency because rapid changes in gaming require decisive movement.
Inherit this work from generations of creative talents forging worlds that have delighted millions. The craftsmanship here is remarkable, amplified by Xbox’s mission of connecting people through games.
Thanks to Phil for his leadership and to every involved team. We are caretakers of beloved stories, uniting players and creators through gaming in revolutionary ways. My foremost task: comprehend and safeguard what drives our success.
These priorities start with three commitments:
1. Great games:
We must lead with games that captivate players. Memorable experiences, engaging narratives, cutting-edge gameplay, and creative innovation are our focus. We’ll support studios, invest in iconic franchises, and embrace new ideas. We will explore areas with player-centric value. Matt Booty has been recognized for his dedication to this vision.
2. The return of Xbox:
Reaffirming commitment to our core Xbox community and developers who craft vast universes enjoyed globally. We’ll honor our console heritage, establishing a seamless presence across PC, mobile, and cloud.
3. The future of play:
The reinvention of play is upon us. By leveraging iconic teams and beloved worlds, we’ll innovate without reducing our offerings to mere profit. Our duty is to create platforms enabling developers and players to define new stories while steering clear of soulless AI production.
The future belongs to those building courageously unique experiences. Return to Xbox’s audacious origins, question all, refine processes, preserve what works, and daringly pivot when necessary.
Thank you for embracing this journey.
Asha
Full Memo from Matt Booty:
I read Phil’s note with immense appreciation. He’s been a steadfast advocate for game creators and studios, from whom I’ve learned much over the years. Our games have thrived under his foundational support. I am grateful to Satya for his continued gaming commitment and vision.
Looking ahead, I’m eager to partner with Asha as CEO. Our discussions emphasize the importance of creating outstanding games for success. Asha’s inquisitiveness and clarity ensure that decisions resonate with player and developer needs, critical amidst industry shifts.
The future looks promising. Our organization adeptly navigates change, supported by teams who adapt and excel. This confidence rests on our solid lineup of franchises and new ventures, meeting clear player demand.
My role is to empower existing teams and leaders to excel. To clarify, no studio organizational changes are planned.
Thank you for your contributions to players and each other.
-Matt
Read Phil Spencer’s full departure memo here.