Moving Forward: Phil Spencer’s Departure from Microsoft

Welcome to a New Chapter at Microsoft Gaming

Back in June of 1988, when I first set foot inside Microsoft as an intern, little did I know the incredible journey that awaited me. Over the years, I have had the privilege of contributing to the development of groundbreaking products, serving our loyal players and customers, and collaborating with exceptional teams. It has truly been an unforgettable experience.

Recently, I had a conversation with Satya where I expressed my intention to take a step back and embark on a new chapter in my life. Since then, we have worked together to ensure a smooth transition that prioritizes stability and reinforces the strong foundation we have established. Xbox, to me, has always been more than just a business. It is a thriving community of gamers, creators, and dedicated teams who are passionate about what we create and how we create it. As such, it is crucial to approach the future with careful planning and deliberation.

Today marks an exciting milestone for Microsoft Gaming as Asha Sharma assumes the role of CEO. I am thrilled to welcome her to this remarkable team. Working closely with Asha in recent months has given me great confidence in her abilities. She brings a genuine curiosity, a clear vision, and a deep commitment to understanding the needs of our players, creators, and the strategic decisions that will shape our path forward. We acknowledge the significance of this moment for our fans, partners, and team, and we are dedicated to navigating it successfully. I will continue to provide advisory support through the summer to ensure a seamless handover.

I am also grateful for the strength of our studios organization. Matt Booty and our talented teams continue to build an outstanding portfolio, and I have full trust in the leadership and creative momentum across our global studios. I extend my congratulations to Matt on his promotion to EVP and Chief Content Officer.

As part of this transition, Sarah Bond has made the decision to depart from Microsoft to pursue new opportunities. Sarah has played a pivotal role during a transformative period for Xbox, shaping our platform strategy, expanding Game Pass and cloud gaming, supporting new hardware launches, and steering some of the most memorable moments in our history. I am thankful for her collaboration and the impact she has made, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Above all, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Microsoft Gaming. I have learned so much from this extraordinary team and community, evolved alongside you all, and have been continuously inspired by the innovation, bravery, and compassion you demonstrate towards players, creators, and each other every single day.

I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together in the past 25 years, and I have full confidence in each one of you and the opportunities that lie ahead. As Xbox’s biggest fan and player, I will be cheering you on in this new chapter.

Phil

XBL: P3