Asha Sharma became Microsoft Gaming’s CEO on February 20, 2026, succeeding Phil Spencer, who said he would remain in an advisory role through the summer to support the handoff. Sarah Bond left Microsoft, and Matt Booty was promoted to executive vice president and chief content officer. Microsoft’s announcement does not establish the “AI executive” label used in the original headline; it describes Sharma’s prior roles at Instacart and Meta and says she had spent the previous two years at Microsoft.
Who is the new Xbox boss?
Microsoft announced on February 20, 2026 that Asha Sharma would become executive vice president and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, reporting to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Xbox’s live leadership roster, checked October 4, 2026, lists Sharma as chief executive officer.
In Microsoft’s announcement, Nadella said Sharma had been chief operating officer at Instacart and a vice president at Meta before joining Microsoft, where she had spent the previous two years. That announcement does not call her an AI executive or give her a prior CoreAI title, so those descriptions should not be treated as established by the appointment notice.
What changed for Spencer, Bond, and Booty?
| Person | Previous position or status | Announced change | Transition details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Spencer | Microsoft Gaming CEO | Retired from Microsoft | Spencer said he would remain in an advisory role through the summer of 2026 to support a smooth handoff. |
| Sarah Bond | Microsoft Gaming president | Left Microsoft | Microsoft said she chose to leave to begin a new chapter; it did not give a more specific reason. |
| Matt Booty | Head of Xbox Game Studios | Promoted to executive vice president and chief content officer | He reports to Sharma. Xbox’s leadership roster lists him as chief content officer. |
The role descriptions and transitions above come from Microsoft’s February 20 announcement and its current leadership roster. The roster is a live page, checked October 4, 2026.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Why is Phil Spencer retiring?
Microsoft’s announcement describes the retirement as Spencer’s decision. Spencer said he had told Nadella the previous fall that he was thinking about stepping back and beginning the next chapter of his life. Nadella said Spencer had decided to retire and that they had been discussing succession planning. The company’s announcement does not cite a different reason.
What happened to Sarah Bond?
Bond left Microsoft as part of the leadership transition. Spencer’s message said she had decided to leave to begin a new chapter. Microsoft did not provide further detail about her reasons.
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- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
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What is Matt Booty’s new role?
Booty became executive vice president and chief content officer, reporting to Sharma. Nadella credited Booty’s leadership with helping Microsoft Gaming grow to nearly 40 studios; that figure is Nadella’s description in the company announcement, not an independent count.
What has Sharma said about Xbox’s direction?
In her February 20 message, Sharma set out three commitments: great games, a renewed commitment to Xbox, and the future of play. She said, “Everything begins here. We must have great games beloved by players before we do anything.” She also said Microsoft would recommit to Xbox fans and developers.
Rank #3
- PLAY LIKE A PRO — The XBOX Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 features over 30 ways to play like a pro. Designed in collaboration with pro-level players, it puts exceptional performance, customization, and durability where it matters most.
- ADJUSTABLE-TENSION THUMBSTICKS — Fine-tune your aim with thumbsticks that let you adjust resistance for improved accuracy, consistency, and control in every match.
- SHORTER HAIR TRIGGER LOCKS — Fire faster and react quicker with three-step hair trigger locks that reduce pull distance for rapid input in competitive gameplay.
- INTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENTS — Swap thumbstick toppers, D-pads, and paddles to tailor your controller to your preferred gaming style. Includes 6 thumbsticks, 4 paddles, 2 D-pads, carrying case, and charging dock.
- SAVE AND SWITCH PROFILES — Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly with the dedicated Profile button. Even pick which color the XBOX button lights up as.
In a February 24 interview with Windows Central, Sharma said, “I want to make sure everybody knows I’m committed to Xbox, starting with the console.” She also said, “This team has brought it back before, and I’m here to help us do it again.” Those comments describe her stated priorities; they do not establish that Xbox’s strategy, hardware, game output, or financial performance has improved.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened after the February appointment?
The leadership change was followed by further organizational restructuring. In an Xbox Wire message on July 6, 2026, Sharma described planned reductions and studio changes. She said the company planned approximately 3,200 role reductions throughout FY27, including approximately 1,600 role eliminations on the day of publication. She also wrote that the platform team had 40% more staff than at the start of the generation and that Microsoft planned to reduce vendor spending by 50%. These are figures from Sharma’s company-published message, not independently verified measures.
Rank #4
- XBOX ELITE WIRELESS CONTROLLER SERIES 2: Play like a pro with adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger locks..Audio : 3.5mm stereo headset jack. Also compatible with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter and all other Xbox controller accessories made by Microsoft.
- CORE ESSENTIALS: Includes just the components you need to unleash your best game. Additional components sold separately for even more customization with the Complete Component Pack.
- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
On September 22, 2026, Booty announced further staff and studio restructuring in an Xbox Wire update. These subsequent changes show that the February succession was not the only significant development in Xbox’s organization during 2026; they do not, by themselves, establish the effects of Sharma’s leadership on business results.
Quick Recap
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
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