Meet Asha Sharma: Indian-origin executive named CEO of Microsoft Gaming
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 21, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma, an Indian-origin executive, as the new CEO of its gaming division, marking a significant leadership change in Xbox's history. Sharma, who previously worked at Microsoft in AI platform leadership and held senior roles at Meta and Instacart, succeeds Phil Spencer, who is retiring after nearly four decades with the company. Her appointment comes amid challenges for Microsoft Gaming, including slowing revenue growth, rising costs, and intense competition in the global console and content market.
Sharma's background in scaling platforms, managing large teams, and steering products through rapid growth positions her as a strategic leader for Microsoft Gaming. With a focus on refocusing Xbox's core audience while navigating the evolving gaming landscape shaped by subscriptions, cloud gaming, and major acquisitions, Sharma is tasked with balancing content, technology, and business discipline. Her leadership will be closely watched as Xbox reassesses its identity in the face of strong competition from Sony’s PlayStation.
The appointment also signals broader changes within Microsoft Gaming's leadership structure. Matt Booty has been promoted to chief content officer, overseeing game studios, while Sarah Bond is leaving the company. These moves suggest a rethinking of Xbox's strategy at a time when the global games industry is under pressure. Sharma's ability to prioritize hardware, subscriptions, first-party content, or deeper integration with Microsoft’s AI and cloud businesses will shape the division's future direction.
As Microsoft Gaming faces challenges such as declining revenues, rising hardware costs, and the integration of Activision Blizzard, Sharma's leadership could redefine Xbox's role in the industry. Her appointment marks a pivotal moment for the company, as it signals a willingness to adapt its strategy during a period of global gaming sector pressure.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/21/2026