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JamesG · 02-20-2026, 11:43 PM

In Xbox Reshuffling, Phil Spencer Exiting Microsoft after 38-Year Run; Asha Sharma Promoted to CEO
by Dade Hayes
February 20, 2026

One of the video game sector’s biggest players is undergoing a management transition.

Phil Spencer, who joined Microsoft as an intern in 1988 and has led its Xbox video game unit since 2014, is retiring.

Asha Sharma will become EVP and CEO. Matt Booty will become EVP and Chief Content Officer, reporting to Sharma. Xbox President Sarah Bond has resigned.

The video game business has gotten more turbulent for the traditional console giants and major publishers as mobile and casual gaming keep disrupting past business models.

Ubisoft just announced a major strategic overhaul, and makers of tentpole games have experienced delays and challenges amid a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Hollywood has had an on-again/off-again relationship with gaming. At Microsoft, the two worlds came together for a brief stretch when the company brought in broadcast TV veterans Nancy Tellem and Jordan Levin to launch Xbox Entertainment Studios.

The initiative was dissolved in 2014 during broad cutbacks and as Spencer established himself at the helm.

Microsoft doubled down on its long-term push into gaming in 2023, acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. But the latest versions of the Xbox console have lagged behind the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo’s revitalized Switch.

Gaming left a blemish on an otherwise strong set of fourth-quarter financial results for Microsoft. Revenue from video games declined 10% in the October-to-December quarter compared with the same period in 2024, diverting from total revenue’s 16% increase.

The company also said it would take an unspecified impairment charge related to gaming.

Sharma has spent the past two years at Microsoft. Previously, she was Chief Operating Officer at Instacart and a VP at Meta.

“She brings deep experience building and growing platforms, aligning business models to long-term value, and operating at global scale, which will be critical in leading our gaming business into its next era of growth,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wrote in a blog post about the changes.

“As we celebrate Xbox’s 25th year, the opportunity and innovation agenda in front of us is expansive.”

Spencer said in the blog post that he began discussing the possibility of stepping down with Nadella last fall.

“It’s rare in life to know when a chapter is closing, but after 38 years at Microsoft, that moment has arrived for me,” Spencer wrote in a social media message.

“I’ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. It’s a milestone that’s given me a chance to reflect on the incredible journey I’ve been fortunate enough to share with so many of you.”

https://deadline.com/2026/02/xbox-re...eo-1236731360/

Dude111 · 02-20-2026, 11:51 PM

Thank you Jimmy

JamesG · 02-24-2026, 07:14 PM

Players will embody Logan as the Wolverine in a bombastic story with brutal claw combat, violent rage, and relentless determination to come to terms with the man he used to be.

Marvel's Wolverine is launching on September 15 for PlayStation 5 (PS5).

MA · 03-05-2026, 09:30 AM

Highguard to Permanently Shut Down on March 12, Wildlight to Release One Final Update With a New Warden, a New Weapon, Skill Trees, and More

https://www.ign.com/articles/highgua...trees-and-more

Dead2009 · 06-03-2026, 09:00 PM

Who all watched the State of Play yesterday?

02-20-2026, 11:43 PM	#46
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,956	In Xbox Reshuffling, Phil Spencer Exiting Microsoft after 38-Year Run; Asha Sharma Promoted to CEO by Dade Hayes February 20, 2026 One of the video game sector’s biggest players is undergoing a management transition. Phil Spencer, who joined Microsoft as an intern in 1988 and has led its Xbox video game unit since 2014, is retiring. Asha Sharma will become EVP and CEO. Matt Booty will become EVP and Chief Content Officer, reporting to Sharma. Xbox President Sarah Bond has resigned. The video game business has gotten more turbulent for the traditional console giants and major publishers as mobile and casual gaming keep disrupting past business models. Ubisoft just announced a major strategic overhaul, and makers of tentpole games have experienced delays and challenges amid a rapidly evolving marketplace. Hollywood has had an on-again/off-again relationship with gaming. At Microsoft, the two worlds came together for a brief stretch when the company brought in broadcast TV veterans Nancy Tellem and Jordan Levin to launch Xbox Entertainment Studios. The initiative was dissolved in 2014 during broad cutbacks and as Spencer established himself at the helm. Microsoft doubled down on its long-term push into gaming in 2023, acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. But the latest versions of the Xbox console have lagged behind the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo’s revitalized Switch. Gaming left a blemish on an otherwise strong set of fourth-quarter financial results for Microsoft. Revenue from video games declined 10% in the October-to-December quarter compared with the same period in 2024, diverting from total revenue’s 16% increase. The company also said it would take an unspecified impairment charge related to gaming. Sharma has spent the past two years at Microsoft. Previously, she was Chief Operating Officer at Instacart and a VP at Meta. “She brings deep experience building and growing platforms, aligning business models to long-term value, and operating at global scale, which will be critical in leading our gaming business into its next era of growth,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wrote in a blog post about the changes. “As we celebrate Xbox’s 25th year, the opportunity and innovation agenda in front of us is expansive.” Spencer said in the blog post that he began discussing the possibility of stepping down with Nadella last fall. “It’s rare in life to know when a chapter is closing, but after 38 years at Microsoft, that moment has arrived for me,” Spencer wrote in a social media message. “I’ve made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. It’s a milestone that’s given me a chance to reflect on the incredible journey I’ve been fortunate enough to share with so many of you.” https://deadline.com/2026/02/xbox-re...eo-1236731360/ Attached Images

03-05-2026, 09:30 AM	#49
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,105	Highguard to Permanently Shut Down on March 12, Wildlight to Release One Final Update With a New Warden, a New Weapon, Skill Trees, and More https://www.ign.com/articles/highgua...trees-and-more
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

06-03-2026, 09:00 PM	#50
Dead2009 Horror Movie Guru Senior Member Join Date: Feb 20, 2024 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,193	Who all watched the State of Play yesterday?
	__________________ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Dead2009/ Backloggd: https://backloggd.com/u/Dead2009/ Dropkickd: https://www.dropkickd.com/user/Dead2009

02-20-2026, 11:51 PM	#47
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 35,363	Thank you Jimmy

02-24-2026, 07:14 PM	#48
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,956	Players will embody Logan as the Wolverine in a bombastic story with brutal claw combat, violent rage, and relentless determination to come to terms with the man he used to be. Marvel's Wolverine is launching on September 15 for PlayStation 5 (PS5).