Phil Spencer
Reporting and statements that mention Phil Spencer.
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Todd Howard "Really, Really Sorry" To See Phil Spencer Retire, Weighs In On New CEO
Bethesda boss Todd Howard expressed sadness over the retirement of Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, his close friend. Howard commented positively on Spencer's successor, Asha Sharma, who comes from an AI background, a technology Bethesda also utilizes. The article also touches on Starfield's upcoming PlayStation 5 release and updates to Fallout 76, with The Elder Scrolls VI and Fallout 5 also in development.
GDC 2026 | Xbox Play Anywhere Showcase
Microsoft hosted the Xbox Play Anywhere Showcase at GDC 2026, allowing developers to demo upcoming titles like the action RPG Star Dive, the beat 'em up Hit-Em-Up Highrise, and the popular fighting game Invincible Vs. The event also featured surprise appearances from Asha Sharma and Phil Spencer, who engaged with media and the gaming community.
Microsoft confirms Copilot AI is coming to Xbox, mere weeks after new CEO said gaming division would avoid ‘soulless slop’
Microsoft has confirmed that its Gaming Copilot AI will be integrated into Xbox consoles starting later this year, with a planned rollout in 2026. This announcement comes despite recent statements from new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cautioning against "soulless AI slop" in gaming. Copilot is already available on Windows 11, mobile, and the ASUS ROG Ally.
How the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dev process powered creative design freedom
This article discusses the complex legacy of Phil Spencer's leadership at Xbox, with commenters debating his impact on the platform, Game Pass, and backwards compatibility. The conversation also touches on Microsoft's acquisitions of Activision Blizzard and their effect on industry consolidation and job losses.
Microsoft Seemingly Cancelled “This is an Xbox” Campaign
Xbox has seemingly discontinued its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign, with related pages on the Xbox Wire website now showing 404 errors. The campaign, which promoted the idea that various devices could be considered an Xbox due to services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Game Pass, was reportedly spearheaded by former Xbox president Sarah Bond. Bond has also announced her departure from Xbox, with Asha becoming the new lead.
Phil Spencer Was Good for Xbox, but His Legacy Is Complicated
This article examines the complicated legacy of Phil Spencer during his tenure as the head of Xbox. While his leadership brought significant changes and moments of excitement, his overall impact is presented as multifaceted.
Phil Spencer Was Good for Xbox, but His Legacy Is Complicated
Xbox VP Jason Ronald stated that players purchasing Xbox Play Anywhere titles spend more than double the hours in-game compared to other players. This initiative aims to increase both spending and engagement for Microsoft's gaming platform.
Games Inbox: Who will win out of PS6 vs. Project Helix?
Readers discuss the potential competition between the upcoming PlayStation 6 and Microsoft's Project Helix (likely the next Xbox console), with concerns raised about pricing, naming conventions, and the potential impact of simultaneous releases. Other topics include the effectiveness of game age ratings, the future of the Battlefield franchise, and the perceived arrogance of Microsoft's console strategy.
Another longtime Microsoft executive is retiring
Rajesh Jha, Microsoft's head of Experiences + Devices, is retiring after over 35 years with the company. Jha oversaw key products like Windows, Office, and Teams. His departure follows other high-profile exits from Microsoft, including Xbox chief Phil Spencer and his successor Sarah Bond. Four members of Jha's team will be promoted to executive vice president roles reporting directly to CEO Satya Nadella.
Microsoft has reportedly pulled the plug on its strange ‘This is an Xbox’ marketing push
Microsoft has reportedly discontinued its 'This is an Xbox' marketing campaign, with the associated web page now removed. This move follows recent leadership changes within Xbox, including the departure of former president Sarah Bond and the retirement of gaming CEO Phil Spencer. The campaign, which aimed to position various devices as extensions of the Xbox ecosystem, had reportedly caused internal dissent among Xbox employees.
GDC Indie Spotlight: Mixtape, Replaced, and More | Official Xbox Podcast
The author discusses Xbox's current strategy, contrasting it with past leadership and PlayStation's approach to third-party support. They express optimism for Xbox's future, particularly regarding PC game compatibility on the console and potential for a wider game library compared to PlayStation's exclusive release cadence.
Phil Spencer Was Good for Xbox, but His Legacy Is Complicated - IGN
Phil Spencer is retiring after 38 years with Microsoft, concluding a 12-year tenure as Head of Xbox. His legacy is viewed as complicated, with shareholders seeing massive stock growth while some hardcore gamers point to increased subscription prices, fewer exclusives, and studio closures. Despite these criticisms, the article argues Spencer was a net positive, crediting him with saving Xbox during the Xbox One era, championing features like backwards compatibility and cross-play, and building a strong portfolio of studios and games.
Xbox’s “This Is an Xbox” Campaign Vanishes From the Web
Microsoft has quietly removed its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign from February 2024, with associated web pages now showing 404 errors. This move follows the appointment of Asha Sharma as the new CEO of Xbox, who has defended her focus on strengthening the platform. The campaign's removal comes as Xbox shifts focus towards future hardware like Project Helix and the continued availability of former exclusives such as Forza Horizon 5 on competing platforms like the PlayStation 5.
Time to pay your last respects to Microsoft's "This is an Xbox" campaign, as it appears to have been killed off
Microsoft has seemingly discontinued its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign, which promoted the Xbox as a platform accessible on various devices. The campaign's associated blog posts are now inaccessible, and the tag yields no results. This move follows recent leadership changes, including the departure of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, and the appointment of Asha Sharma as the new gaming CEO, who has also confirmed the next-gen Xbox will support console and PC games.
Windows 11 is getting an ″Xbox mode″ in April and it’s a big deal
Windows 11 is set to receive an "Xbox mode" in April, which is expected to be a significant development for PC gaming. The article discusses the current console landscape, noting the slower exclusive release cadence for PlayStation 5 compared to Xbox Series X. It also touches on past leadership issues within Xbox and the potential for PC gaming to offer a wider library of titles.
Microsoft's weird "This is an Xbox" marketing appears to be getting quietly swept under the rug amid…
Microsoft appears to be phasing out its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign, with related content being removed from official Xbox channels. This shift follows leadership changes within Microsoft Gaming, including the exits of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, who reportedly championed the campaign. The effectiveness and internal reception of the 'Xbox everywhere' initiative remain subjects of discussion.
Project Helix dev kits not going out until 2027, and other new details on Xbox's next-gen console
Microsoft has revealed more details about its next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, which will support both Xbox console and PC games. The console will feature a custom AMD SoC, next-generation DirectX capabilities, and significantly improved ray tracing performance. Developer dev kits are expected to ship in 2027, with the company emphasizing the increasing importance of PC within the Xbox ecosystem.
Xbox Confirms Yet Another Phil Spencer-Era Initiative Is Dead
Xbox has confirmed that Project Moorcroft, an initiative designed to support game demos for developers through Xbox Game Pass, will not be moving forward. The program, first teased in June 2022, aimed to help indie developers gain visibility and analytics. Xbox now focuses on other demo-related features and festivals.
Microsoft Silently Does Away With "This Is An Xbox" Campaign
Microsoft has quietly removed most evidence of its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign from the internet, including a now-blank webpage for its announcement. This change follows the appointment of Asha Sharma as Xbox's new executive vice president and CEO and comes less than a month after former CEO Phil Spencer retired and president Sarah Bond departed. The campaign, reportedly driven by Bond, aimed to show Xbox as more than just a console but was met with consumer confusion and internal criticism.
Microsoft Has Seemingly Retired “This is an Xbox” Marketing Campaign
Microsoft appears to have retired its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign, with related content removed from Xbox Wire. The campaign, spearheaded by former Xbox president Sarah Bond, aimed to position Xbox as a multiplatform brand through services like Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming. This move follows recent leadership changes at Microsoft Gaming, including the departure of Bond and the appointment of Asha Sharma as CEO.
