Microsoft appointed Asha Sharma as Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, placing the Indian-origin executive in charge of Xbox and the company’s broader gaming strategy as industry veteran Phil Spencer retires after 38 years.
The 36-year-old technology leader brings nearly 15 years of experience in product development, artificial intelligence, and platform operations. Most recently, she led Microsoft’s Core AI Product division overseeing AI models, applications, agents, and developer tools. Her appointment comes as Microsoft’s gaming division faces rising competition, increased costs from tariffs, and pressure following the $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition.
Sharma joined Microsoft in 2011 in marketing roles before serving as Chief Operating Officer at Porch Group, helping orchestrate its $1 billion public debut. She later held Vice President positions at Meta, leading Messenger, Instagram Direct, and video calling infrastructure during critical growth periods. At Instacart, she served as COO managing a $30 billion-plus profit and loss portfolio while guiding the company toward profitability and successful IPO.
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CEO Satya Nadella emphasized Sharma’s platform scaling expertise and AI strategy background as crucial for Xbox’s evolution toward cloud gaming, subscription services, and AI-integrated experiences. In her first communication to Xbox staff, Sharma stated Microsoft would not use AI to replace human creativity, declaring the company would not flood its ecosystem with what she termed “soulless AI slop.”
Matt Booty transitions from Xbox Game Studios chief to Chief Content Officer reporting to Sharma, while President Sarah Bond departs. Sharma currently serves as independent director for The Home Depot and Coupang.
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