The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Asha Sharma became Microsoft Gaming’s CEO on February 20, 2026, reporting to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Phil Spencer decided to retire and said he would advise through the summer to support the handoff; Sarah Bond left Microsoft; and Matt Booty was promoted to executive vice president and chief content officer. Microsoft framed Sharma’s priorities as great games, a renewed commitment to Xbox, and the future of play—but those are goals, not evidence that the business has already changed.
Who is the new Xbox boss?
Microsoft announced on February 20, 2026, that Asha Sharma would become executive vice president and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, reporting to Satya Nadella. Xbox’s leadership roster, checked October 4, 2026, lists Sharma as Chief Executive Officer. Microsoft’s announcement described her previous roles as chief operating officer at Instacart and vice president at Meta, and said she had spent the prior two years at Microsoft.
The announcement does not identify Sharma as a Microsoft AI executive or give her a prior CoreAI title. The headline’s “AI exec” shorthand therefore is not established by that official appointment announcement; it should not be treated as a confirmed description of her prior role.
What happened to Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond?
Phil Spencer is retiring
Nadella said Spencer had decided to retire. Spencer said he had told Nadella the previous fall that he was thinking about stepping back and starting a new chapter of his life. He also said he would remain in an advisory role through the summer to support a smooth handoff. Microsoft’s announcement described Spencer as having spent more than 38 years at the company, including 12 years leading Gaming; those are company-reported figures.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Sarah Bond left Microsoft
Microsoft said Bond had decided to leave the company “to begin a new chapter.” The announcement did not give a more specific reason. It does not support claims that she was dismissed or explain her decision beyond that statement.
What is Matt Booty’s new role?
Booty was promoted to executive vice president and Chief Content Officer, reporting to Sharma. The Xbox leadership roster checked October 4, 2026, lists him as Chief Content Officer. Nadella’s announcement said Microsoft Gaming had grown to nearly 40 studios under Booty’s leadership; that description comes from Microsoft, not an independent count.
Rank #2
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
What has Sharma said she wants to change?
In her February 20 message, Sharma laid out three commitments: make great games, recommit to Xbox, and shape the future of play. She said, “Everything begins here. We must have great games beloved by players before we do anything.” She also said Xbox should recommit to its longtime fans and to the developers making games for players worldwide. Those statements describe her priorities, not measured outcomes.
In a February 24 interview with Windows Central, Sharma said, “I want to make sure everybody knows I’m committed to Xbox, starting with the console.” She also said, “This team has brought it back before, and I’m here to help us do it again.” These are her remarks about direction and intent; they do not establish that hardware, game output, or business performance has improved.
Rank #3
- PLAY LIKE A PRO — The XBOX Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 features over 30 ways to play like a pro. Designed in collaboration with pro-level players, it puts exceptional performance, customization, and durability where it matters most.
- ADJUSTABLE-TENSION THUMBSTICKS — Fine-tune your aim with thumbsticks that let you adjust resistance for improved accuracy, consistency, and control in every match.
- SHORTER HAIR TRIGGER LOCKS — Fire faster and react quicker with three-step hair trigger locks that reduce pull distance for rapid input in competitive gameplay.
- INTERCHANGEABLE COMPONENTS — Swap thumbstick toppers, D-pads, and paddles to tailor your controller to your preferred gaming style. Includes 6 thumbsticks, 4 paddles, 2 D-pads, carrying case, and charging dock.
- SAVE AND SWITCH PROFILES — Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly with the dedicated Profile button. Even pick which color the XBOX button lights up as.
What has happened since the February leadership change?
The succession was followed by substantial organizational changes, so February was not the only consequential development in Xbox leadership and operations. In an Xbox Wire message on July 6, 2026, Sharma described planned reductions and studio changes. She said approximately 3,200 role reductions were planned throughout FY27 and approximately 1,600 roles would be eliminated on the day of publication. She also wrote that the platform team had 40% more staff than at the start of the generation and that vendor spending was planned to fall by 50%. These figures are claims in Sharma’s company message, not independently verified industry statistics. Read the July Xbox Wire message.
On September 22, 2026, Booty announced further staff and studio restructuring in an Xbox Wire update. The additional changes show that the organization continued to evolve after Sharma took over; they do not by themselves demonstrate whether her stated priorities are producing better results. Read Booty’s September update.
Rank #4
- XBOX ELITE WIRELESS CONTROLLER SERIES 2: Play like a pro with adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger locks..Audio : 3.5mm stereo headset jack. Also compatible with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter and all other Xbox controller accessories made by Microsoft.
- CORE ESSENTIALS: Includes just the components you need to unleash your best game. Additional components sold separately for even more customization with the Complete Component Pack.
- LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZATION: Exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox Accessories app—even pick which color the Xbox button lights up with.*
- CUSTOM PROFILES: Save up to 3 custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly.*
- EXTENDED GAMEPLAY: Stay in the game with up to 40 hours of battery life and refined components that are built to last.*
What does Sharma’s appointment mean for Xbox?
It means Microsoft has put Sharma in charge of Microsoft Gaming, with Booty leading content under her and Spencer supporting the handoff for a limited transition period. Microsoft has publicly emphasized games, its core Xbox audience, developers, consoles, and the future of play. Whether those commitments lead to a different strategy or stronger results cannot be determined from the appointment announcement or leadership statements alone.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
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