Asha Sharma has officially taken over as CEO of Microsoft Gaming, marking a defining moment for one of the world’s largest gaming ecosystems. In her first message after stepping into the role, Sharma reflected on the scale, creativity, and emotional power of gaming—calling it one of the most influential art forms of the modern era.
“Today I am honored to step into the role of CEO of Microsoft Gaming,” she wrote, acknowledging the legacy she inherits and the responsibility that comes with it.
Sharma highlighted how Xbox has evolved over the last 25 years, now reaching more than 500 million monthly active players worldwide and spanning nearly 40 studios, including Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, King, Mojang, and Xbox Game Studios. These studios, she noted, are home to iconic franchises like Halo, Minecraft, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Fallout, and Candy Crush—titles that have shaped generations of gamers across devices and cultures.
Expressing gratitude to the leadership that built this foundation, Sharma thanked Phil Spencer for his vision and congratulated Matt Booty on his new role as Chief Content Officer. She described Booty’s journey as “a lifelong commitment to games and the people who make them,” and said she is eager to collaborate closely with him and the broader Xbox leadership team.
For Sharma, gaming is far more than entertainment—it is a cultural force.
“I believe gaming is one of the most powerful art forms in the world. It brings people together and creates real opportunities for developers, artists, storytellers, and entrepreneurs everywhere,” she said, emphasizing the unique blend of creativity and technology that defines the industry.
She also underscored how gaming constantly pushes technological boundaries, demanding innovation in hardware, software, and cloud services while merging art and engineering in ways few other industries can. Reflecting on the future, Sharma said she is inspired by teams that dare to build something unexpected and have the patience to see bold ideas through.
As she begins her journey at the helm of Microsoft Gaming, Sharma made it clear that she sees the industry as a global creative platform with the power to connect people, empower creators, and shape the future of digital experiences.