tech
February 23, 2026
Tectonic shifts at Xbox: Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond leave Microsoft
After nearly 40 years of working at Microsoft, Xbox boss and Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is retiring. This news was confirmed by Satya Nadella himself, stating that succession planning had been ongoing for months. In addition to Spencer, Xbox President Sarah Bond is also leaving the company, leaving the top structure of one of the world's largest gaming brands completely vacant in one day.
TL;DR
- Phil Spencer, head of Xbox and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, is retiring after nearly 40 years.
- Xbox President Sarah Bond is also leaving the company.
- Asha Sharma, formerly head of CoreAI, will take over as the new head of Xbox.
- Matt Booty has been promoted to Chief Content Officer.
- Sharma has stated that Microsoft will not flood the ecosystem with 'AI garbage' and that games must remain human art, with AI serving as a tool for innovation.
- Bond cited the need for new energy in an era of technological transformation for her departure.
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