Microsoft Gaming has new leadership following the retirement of Phil Spencer and resignation of Sarah Bond. Matt Booty is now chief content officer, and Asha Sharma, previously from Microsoft's CoreAI division, is the new CEO.
In an internal letter, Sharma addressed concerns about pushing generative AI into game development. "We will not chase short-term efficiency or flood our ecosystem with soulless AI slop," she wrote, emphasizing games as human-crafted art. This comes as Activision has already used AI for some Call of Duty art.
Sharma committed to creating "great games" first, focusing on unforgettable characters and innovative gameplay. She promised to empower studios, invest in franchises, and take risks. Her vision includes a d platform for creators and a commitment to Xbox consoles, while acknowledging gaming spans all devices.
Microsoft's gaming division has seen major acquisitions like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, but also studio closures and layoffs. The company has invested heavily in AI, with its leaders seeing it as key for productivity, yet Sharma's appointment signals a cautious approach to its use in creative processes.