Exclusive: Xbox leaders outline the platform’s future
Windows Central • • general
Key Points:
- Asha Sharma has been named the new CEO of Xbox as of February 23, 2026, succeeding Phil Spencer who will retire in October; Sharma aims to lead Xbox through its next era amid challenges from changing user behavior and competition from non-gaming platforms.
- Sharma emphasizes a "return to Xbox," focusing on revitalizing the console platform and investing in reducing barriers across hardware devices, while committing to Xbox's core fans and ecosystem.
- Both Sharma and newly promoted Chief Content Officer Matt Booty reaffirm Xbox's dedication to first-party game development, rejecting the notion of shifting to a publishing-only model, and supporting a diverse portfolio from small indie titles to major blockbusters.
- On AI integration, Sharma stresses careful use of technology without compromising creative
