Overview
- Microsoft named Asha Sharma executive vice president and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, succeeding retiring Xbox chief Phil Spencer, with Sarah Bond departing and staying on as an advisor during the transition.
- In a memo and a Variety interview, Sharma said she has "no tolerance for bad AI," stressing that AI will remain part of gaming but that "great stories are created by humans."
- Sharma outlined three early priorities: build great games beloved by players, recommit to the Xbox platform starting with console, and set firm guardrails against low‑quality AI while exploring new models for play and monetization.
- Xbox veteran Matt Booty was promoted to executive vice president and chief content officer, consolidating content oversight under Sharma as she works to stabilize the expanded studio portfolio.
- Early community reaction has questioned Sharma’s gaming credentials, citing AI‑like social replies and a recently created Gamertag; she acknowledged on X that she is "no Phil Spencer," and signaled updates at GDC next month with a larger Xbox Games Showcase planned for spring.