previous xbox Sarah Bond, president and chief operating officer, issued a parting statement to colleagues and fans after announcing she would be stepping down from her role alongside Phil Spencer, who is leaving the company. Xbox and Microsoft Gaming are set to undergo their first major C-suite shuffle soon, with Asha Sharma taking over as CEO of Microsoft Gaming and taking on the dual role of Vice President alongside Matt Booty, the latter of whom will also serve as Xbox's newly appointed Chief Content Officer. Despite the unexpected leadership change, Sarah Bond's resignation remarks shared optimism about Xbox's future and words of support for the new leader who will shape the future of Microsoft Gaming.
Sarah Bond first joined Microsoft in 2017 to support gaming business partnerships, eventually rising through the ranks and being promoted to President of Xbox in 2023, working alongside then-CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer. Xbox has made a number of big changes to its approach to both hardware and services during Bond's tenure, with recent focus on major deals such as changes to Xbox Game Pass, the company's shift away from console exclusivity, and the 2022 Activision-Blizzard acquisition. Sarah Bond led Xbox through the trials and tribulations of the Activision-Blizzard deal and helped the company overcome a variety of challenges. As Bond prepares to leave Microsoft and Xbox, the outgoing president shared an encouraging outlook on Asha Sharma and the new direction of Microsoft Gaming, as well as a reflective look at what she and her team have achieved under her leadership.
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The Microsoft CEO's recent comments following recent layoffs and game cancellations drew a heated response from the audience.
Former Xbox boss Sarah Bond has shared a farewell message with colleagues and fans.
In a dedicated note she shared with her team and posted publicly on LinkedIn, Sarah Bond said she was “very proud” of Xbox and what her team has been able to build over the past eight years, specifically mentioning the rapid growth of PC and cloud gaming, the development of the next generation of Xbox consoles, and laying the foundation for a “more open gaming platform.” Bond recalled his commitment to leading Xbox through “a significant period of change” and sees the current state of the video game industry as “an era of transformative technology.” Bond therefore believes this moment presents a unique opportunity for “eyes and new leadership” to lead Xbox and Microsoft Gaming into the next chapter of gaming. She thanked Phil Spencer and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella for their support over the years and congratulated Asha Sharma.
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What was interesting about Bond was his mention that she would be supporting Asha Sharma as a special advisor during this transition period. It is unknown whether this role will be official, or whether Bond will simply be available to help Shama adjust to her new duties with occasional guidance. Sarah Bond's message ended with three important questions she used during her time as president of Microsoft Gaming. These questions all have to do with being your best performer while helping others succeed and ensuring great results. With the departure of Sarah Bond and Phil Spencer, many people are tired of the immediate and long-term impact on Xbox. But Bond's parting statement and Matt Booty's comments reassured employees and fans alike of his enthusiastic support for Microsoft Gaming and Xbox's new changes.
Although Sarah Bond and Phil Spencer's departure from Xbox sent shockwaves through the industry, this isn't the first time a major company in the gaming industry has seen an executive shakeup. Nintendo president Doug Bowser will step down from his position in December 2025, after taking on the role from predecessor Reggie Fils-Aime, who left the position in 2019. Only time will tell whether Bond and Spencer's successors will make significant changes in the coming years, so interested fans can follow future announcements from the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming Asha Sharma or others. xbox.
