Former Xbox President Sarah Bond breaks silence after surprise exit
Mashable
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Former Xbox President Sarah Bond has shared her thoughts following her unexpected exit from Microsoft Gaming, which also saw longtime Xbox leader Phil Spencer step down. In a LinkedIn post, Bond expressed pride in her eight-plus years at Xbox, highlighting the platform’s growth in PC and cloud gaming, the development of its next console, and efforts to create a more open gaming ecosystem. She revealed that this was the right time for her to move on, both personally and professionally, while also committing to remain as a special advisor to incoming Xbox head Asha Sharma during the transition.
Bond’s departure marks a significant shift in Xbox leadership, with Spencer retiring and Sharma being elevated to Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming. Bond had been seen as Spencer’s likely successor, having played a key role in Xbox’s growth and Microsoft’s high-profile $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Her LinkedIn post reflected gratitude toward Spencer for his mentorship and friendship, as well as toward Satya Nadella for his support during her tenure.
With Sharma now at the helm, Xbox enters a new chapter under a leader with a background in CoreAI but limited gaming experience. Bond’s legacy includes advocating for accessibility and platform openness in gaming, as well as contributing to Xbox’s evolution into a more diverse and inclusive ecosystem. Her decision to step down signals a transition period for both her and the company, though she will remain involved during the handover.
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Originally published on Mashable on 2/23/2026