New Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma discusses what she likes in video games. She also admits she’s got a lot to learn in her new role.
Asha Sharma became the head of Xbox on February 20, 2026, following a shake-up that saw Phil Spencer retire and Sarah Bond leave the company. She’s tried to be an engaging CEO in her first 24 hours, outlining her vision for AI in Xbox’s future and responding to gamers on social media. Still, her background at Microsoft saw her leading the CoreAI division.
Before Microsoft, she held top positions for Instacart and Meta. While those are successful companies, they don’t exactly scream “gaming.” As such, Sharma knows she has a lot to learn in her new position.
Asha Sharma on What She Likes to See in Video Games
In an interview with Variety, Sharma was quoted as saying that she likes games with deep emotional resonance. She also touted the game Firewatch as a game that resonated with her emotionally.
Sharma plans to win over core Xbox gamers and earn the right to be trusted. She hopes to develop consistency over time that will lead to a stronger relationship with the player base. “I’m coming into gaming as a platform builder,” Sharma noted.
In response to a social media comment, she even listed her three favorite games: Halo, Valheim, and GoldenEye.
Moving forward, she will work closely with Matt Booty to enact her initiatives. Sarah Bond will assist her and provide guidance during the transition before her exit from Microsoft. Learn more about Sarah’s departure from Microsoft at this link.
Learn more about Phil Spencer’s retirement and Xbox’s restructuring at this link. Check out Asha Sharma’s full memo to her team following the shakeups here.
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