Xbox’s new CEO Asha Sharma took over on Monday after Phil Spencer’s departure, which was announced a day earlier than planned due to an internal leak. However, the main focus is on former Xbox President Sarah Bond, who left her position just a month ago. Her strategy, “Xbox Everywhere,” aimed to move the brand beyond console hardware and promote gaming through cloud services. The campaign, however, was met with criticism from employees and failed to resonate with consumers.
Bond’s tenure was marked by controversy, including a marketing campaign that positioned phones and tablets as Xbox consoles. This decision allegedly offended many employees and ultimately led to her departure. It is reported that Bond surrounded herself with yes-men who didn’t question the vision, leading to a toxic work environment.
Phil Spencer’s retirement has been seen as inevitable by many Xbox employees, who are relieved with his departure. The new CEO Asha Sharma will face challenges in re-establishing the brand and regaining consumer trust. As the industry evolves, it remains to be seen how Microsoft’s next-gen leadership at Xbox will shape the future of gaming.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/report-former-president-of-xbox-direction-reportedly-offended-xbox-employees-this-is-an-xbox-campaign-deemed-failure-internally