New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma celebrates Phil Spencer’s legacy

2 weeks ago

3 minutes read

New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma celebrates Phil Spencer's legacy

Microsoft’s Xbox division and gaming division are going through major leadership changes right now, as Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is retiring after nearly 40 years at the company. His position is being filled by CoreAI’s president of Product Asha Sharma, while president of Game Content & Studios Matt Booty has been promoted to Microsoft Gaming’s EVP and Chief Content Officer.

Since becoming the head of Xbox in 2014, Spencer has led his teams for 12 years, and leaves behind a legacy of history books. As the chief editor of Windows Central and Xbox aficionado Jez Corden wrote recently, Spencer’s direction saved the genre from the dark days of 2013, when Microsoft went everywhere in positioning the Xbox One as a multimedia hub with advertising and a low price of $ 500 that almost killed the Xbox at that time.

With innovations such as Xbox’s amazing compatibility based back on simulation, the creation of The Xbox Game Pass business that has become a household name, and a renewed focus on sports with the creation of the publishing division of Xbox Game Studios, Spencer not only repaired the damage done earlier, but raised the Xbox to the highest position within Microsoft, and established it as a direct point in the company’s portfolio.

“Today Matt and I had the opportunity to see the @XboxP3 [Phil Spencer]. Over the past few months, we’ve talked almost daily about everything from hardware and strategy to creators and culture…and a lot about our kids and dogs, too,” he wrote. “Those conversations have given me a front seat to what many of you have known for decades. Phil is an amazing leader, but more than that, he is a very remarkable person. “

Today Matt and I had a chance to see the @XboxP3. For the past few months, we’ve talked almost every day about everything from hardware and strategy to creators and culture… and a lot about our kids and dogs, too. Those conversations have given me a front seat to that… pic.twitter.com/S9EjhSZFzN February 24, 2026

“When he took over Xbox in 2014, it was a pivotal moment. He pushed backwards compatibility because players asked for it. He helped bring Xbox One X to life. He created Game Pass. And through it all, he refocused our decisions on players and creators,” he continued.

“Many careers are summed up in milestones. Phil’s impact is evident in the stories. In creators who felt safe taking risks, in teams who did the best work of their lives because someone believed in them, and in generations of gamers who felt that Xbox was theirs.”

“I will always remember this day. I am proud to be part of Team Xbox. Now our journey begins,” he said.

It’s a touching recognition of Spencer’s influence on Microsoft and Xbox, but it also serves as a reminder of what Xbox fans can expect from Sharma’s leadership now that he’s passing the torch. Its passionate community hopes to see Xbox deliver great games and services going forward, and is driven by the vision of the first player.

The road ahead will not be easy; Lately, the relationship between Xbox and its fans has become increasingly strained, with growing frustration over layoffs, the closing of multiple studios, and the cancellation of upcoming games, as well as the rising prices of Game Pass and the multiplatform focus making many wonder why they should even bother buying an Xbox. Many gamers often spend their time on more than traditional platforms.

But as former Xbox director Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb said recently, working with the community is an important part of driving Xbox forward — and so far, Sharma has been heavily involved with it. That gives me hope that the future of the product is bright.