What to know
- Asha Sharma has taken over as CEO of Microsoft Gaming, including the Xbox division, and Matt Booty is now Chief Content Officer.
- Both executives emphasize a renewed focus on Xbox consoles and hardware investment.
- Sharma says “hardware announcements are coming up soon,” laying groundwork for next-gen reveals.
- The leadership transition occurs amid broader industry challenges and a strategic pivot toward console-centric direction.
You’re seeing the first public comments from Xbox’s new leadership as they define their strategy for 2026 and beyond. Asha Sharma, who stepped in as CEO of Microsoft Gaming late February 2026 after Phil Spencer’s retirement, is talking directly about returning focus to Xbox consoles and hardware.
In recent interviews, both Sharma and Matt Booty have reiterated that Xbox’s future begins with its hardware platforms. Sharma explicitly said she’s “committed to ‘returning to Xbox,’ and that starts with console, that starts with hardware” and promised that fans “will hear more about that soon” — with hardware announcements coming up as part of the company’s roadmap.
That phrasing suggests Microsoft is preparing to officially unveil or tease next-generation Xbox hardware — though specific products, specs, or dates have not yet been shared publicly as of late February 2026.
This hardware focus comes as part of a broader leadership shift at Xbox. Sharma’s background isn’t rooted in gaming — she came from Microsoft’s CoreAI group — which has led to high community interest in how she’ll balance AI strategy with traditional console and game development. In response, she has reaffirmed strong commitments to both console hardware and content driven by creativity, not just technology.
Behind this leadership change, analysts and media note Xbox’s business is at a crossroads: you see a renewed console emphasis paired with ongoing efforts to compete on content and community after years of hardware sales challenges.
At this moment, the new Xbox leadership has confirmed hardware will be a priority and that official announcements are forthcoming, but the details of those announcements — like dates and devices — are still ahead of us.
