Albert Penello’s passing marks the loss of one of Xbox’s most influential voices, whose work defined multiple generations of Microsoft’s gaming vision

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I was really saddened to hear about the passing of Albert Penello. He was a huge name in the gaming world, especially for those of us who followed Xbox. He spent years at Microsoft and played a massive role in making Xbox the platform it is today – he really championed developers and helped open things up during those early days with the original Xbox, 360, and even the Xbox One. He’ll be greatly missed.

After his previous work, he joined Amazon, where he continued to use his skills and knowledge in a leadership role. Those familiar with his contributions believe Albert was instrumental to Xbox’s success, and he’d recently been advising on plans for the next Xbox console.

Tributes pour in following Albert Penello’s passing

When Albert Penello passed away, people immediately shared heartfelt tributes online. Many remembered working with him and described him as a consistently kind, approachable, and generous person.

I saw a really nice message from Larry Hryb, or Major Nelson as many know him, honoring Albert and talking about how much of a difference he made in the gaming world.

Mike Ybarra, another prominent person at Xbox, shared his own thoughts, fondly recalling Albert’s impact and personality.

It’s with great sadness that I learned about the passing of Albert Penello after a battle with cancer. Albert was a dedicated employee of Xbox and a true gaming enthusiast. I recently spoke with him about a month ago and was struck by his positive attitude, even given his circumstances. He mentioned it was January 2, 2026.

I was really struck by what Peter Moore said about Albert – it wasn’t just about his work, but what a genuinely good person he was. It’s nice to hear about someone being remembered for their character as much as their accomplishments.

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Albert, a true pioneer and a remarkably positive person. He approached every challenge with enthusiasm and energy – many will recall his work on HD DVD. He will be deeply missed by everyone in the Xbox community, and his absence will be felt greatly. January 3, 2026

The industry is deeply saddened by the loss of Albert Penello, and our hearts go out to his family. He will be fondly remembered for both his professional contributions and his kindness to others, leaving behind a lasting legacy.

Those who wish to show their support to his family can do so by emailing PenelloFamily@gmail.com.

Albert had one last personal project he was excited about, and fans can learn more about it on Kickstarter. The campaign is for a deluxe 12-inch Mighty Orbots figure, a nostalgic collectible inspired by the 1980s animated series of the same name. It’s a tribute to classic toys from that era.

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2026-01-03 17:39