Microsoft has announced a sweeping reorganization of its gaming division as longtime Xbox leader Phil Spencer retires after nearly four decades at the company. In a pair of internal emails shared today, CEO Satya Nadella confirmed that Asha Sharma—a rising executive with deep experience in consumer platforms—will become Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, reporting directly to him.
The move marks one of the most significant leadership transitions in Xbox’s 25‑year history, reshaping the division at a moment when Microsoft is positioning gaming at the center of its consumer strategy.
Asha Sharma steps in as CEO of Microsoft Gaming
Sharma, who joined Microsoft two years ago after senior roles at Instacart and Meta, will now oversee the entire gaming organization, including Xbox, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, and King. Nadella emphasized her track record in scaling global consumer ecosystems and aligning business models to long‑term value, skills that he says are essential as Microsoft Gaming enters its next era.
“Asha has helped build and scale services that reach billions of people,” Nadella wrote. “She brings deep experience building and growing platforms… which will be critical in leading our gaming business into its next era of growth.”
Her appointment signals Microsoft’s intent to fuse its gaming ambitions with its broader push into AI‑driven consumer experiences.
Matt Booty promoted to EVP and Chief Content Office
As part of the restructuring, Matt Booty has been elevated to Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, reporting to Sharma. The new role consolidates oversight of nearly 40 studios across Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, and King.
Booty’s expanded remit reflects Microsoft’s desire for tighter coordination across its massive first‑party portfolio, which includes Halo, The Elder Scrolls, Call of Duty, Diablo, World of Warcraft, Candy Crush, and Fallout.
Nadella praised Booty’s “lifelong commitment to games and to the people who make them,” noting that he will be central to driving the company’s content pipeline and platform innovation.
Phil Spencer retires after 38 years at Microsoft
In his own email to staff, Spencer confirmed that he informed Nadella last fall of his intention to retire, triggering months of succession planning. He described his 38‑year career—including 12 years leading Xbox—as “the privilege of a lifetime.”
“When I walked through Microsoft’s doors as an intern in 1988, I could never have imagined the products I’d help build or the extraordinary teams I’d be lucky enough to join,” Spencer wrote.
He praised Sharma’s leadership, calling her “genuinely curious, clear, and deeply committed to understanding players and creators,” and said he has “tremendous confidence” in the future of Microsoft Gaming under her direction. Spencer will remain in an advisory role through the summer to ensure a smooth transition.
Nadella credited Spencer with transforming Microsoft’s gaming business, nearly tripling its size, expanding Xbox across PC, mobile, and cloud, and guiding the company through the landmark acquisitions of Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax, and Mojang.
“I’ve long admired Phil’s unwavering commitment to players, creators, and his team,” Nadella said.
Rumors started circling last summer that Spencer was looking to retire, but those rumors were shot down by Microsoft at the time, likely to preserve a proper announcement and solidify planning.
Sarah Bond departs Microsoft
As part of the transition, Xbox President Sarah Bond is leaving the company. Spencer acknowledged her departure in his email, praising her leadership during a defining period for Xbox.
Bond played a key role in expanding Game Pass, advancing cloud gaming, supporting new hardware launches, and shaping Xbox’s platform strategy. Her exit marks another major shift in the upper ranks of Microsoft Gaming.
Microsoft reaffirms commitment to Xbox hardware, games, and strategy
Despite the leadership overhaul, Nadella stressed that Microsoft remains “long on gaming” and fully committed to Xbox’s hardware roadmap, first‑party content, and ecosystem strategy.
He highlighted Xbox’s reach (over 500 million monthly active users) and its position as a top publisher across platforms. He also framed gaming as foundational to Microsoft’s consumer ambitions, drawing a line from Flight Simulator’s pre‑Windows origins to the AI‑accelerated future the company is now building toward.
“We have extraordinary creative talent across our studios and a global platform that is second to none,” Nadella wrote. “I’m excited for how we will capture the opportunity ahead and define what comes next.
A new era begins
The appointment of Sharma, the elevation of Booty, and the retirement of Spencer collectively mark a generational shift for Xbox. The division enters its next chapter with new leadership, a massive content empire, and a mandate to integrate AI more deeply into the gaming experience.
For Spencer, the legacy is unmistakable: he rebuilt Xbox’s culture, expanded its reach, and helped redefine what a gaming platform could be.
“I’ll be cheering you on in this next chapter as Xbox’s proudest fan and player,” he wrote.
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