Former Xbox President Sarah Bond Opens Up About Resignation: “The Right Time to Take My Next Step”

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Microsoft is undergoing some big changes at the top of its Xbox division. Phil Spencer is stepping down and Asha Sharma will take over as CEO of Microsoft Gaming. Matt Booty will now lead content creation as Chief Content Officer. Unexpectedly, Sarah Bond has also left the company.

As Xbox President, Sarah Bond was expected to eventually take over from Phil Spencer. Her recent departure has raised questions, but in a LinkedIn post, Bond explained she felt it was simply the right moment to pursue her next personal and professional opportunities.

I’m really proud of everything we’ve accomplished together over the last eight years. PC and cloud gaming are booming, we’re making great progress on our next console, and together we’ve created a more open gaming experience that connects players on all kinds of devices, worldwide.

Back in 2022, when we announced we wanted to buy Activision Blizzard, I promised to guide Xbox through a time of big changes. Over the last four years, we’ve worked through those changes together and set the business up for future success. We faced some of the toughest challenges in Xbox’s history, and we overcame them as a unified team.

I’ve decided it’s time for me to move forward with the next chapter of my life, both personally and in my career. We’re in a period of rapid technological change that will define the future of our field, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead.

Beyond mentioning a need for a “fresh perspective and new leadership” as the company moves forward, Bond also spoke highly of Sharma. He said he’s spent the last few weeks working with Asha on this change and has been impressed by her dedication to players, developers, and the Xbox brand. He noted her strong background in technology and business, as well as her proven ability to build and grow successful platforms. Bond believes Xbox deserves this new leadership and is eager to see what Sharma accomplishes. Currently, Sharma is acting as a Special Advisor to ensure a seamless transition and continued success for the organization.

Bond expressed his gratitude to Spencer for years of guidance and friendship, highlighting Spencer’s unwavering support for the business and its team. He shared that he’d learned a lot from Spencer’s leadership, especially how he navigates both successes and difficulties, and appreciated the trust and support he’d received. Bond also thanked Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella for his backing and support during his time with the company.

Looking back on her career, she realized she’d always tried to live by three core principles: giving her all, helping others thrive, and doing excellent work. She hoped she’d succeeded in doing so for those she worked with, and expressed how much she valued her time with the team.

Sarah Bond started at Microsoft in 2017, initially as a Vice President at Xbox where she focused on building gaming partnerships and business opportunities. She later led work on improving the experience for game creators and the Xbox ecosystem. In 2023, she was promoted to President of Xbox. Before Microsoft, she worked at McKinsey & Company and T-Mobile, and she currently serves on the board of the Entertainment Software Association.

Okay, so even with the big changes at the top, Phil Spencer told us things are staying pretty stable with how the Xbox game studios are set up, which is good to hear. As for what’s happening with the next Bond game? We’ll just have to wait and see, but I’m keeping my eyes peeled for more news!

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2026-02-22 19:43