Microsoft CEO Calls Gaming One of Company’s “Core Identities” During Internal Q&A

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Asha Sharma, formerly of CoreAI and recently appointed CEO of Microsoft Gaming, has reassured employees that Microsoft will continue to develop both gaming hardware and software. In a recent internal question-and-answer session, Sharma introduced Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to discuss the company’s plans for the future of gaming, as reported by Windows Central.

During his appearance, Nadella shared his excitement about being there and highlighted gaming as a central part of Microsoft’s identity. He explained this is due to the significant investments made in the gaming division and Microsoft’s strong position within the gaming industry.

According to Nadella, Microsoft’s success depends on maintaining its core strengths. He identified these as being a platform for developers, a resource for knowledge workers, and a leader in gaming – areas that have always defined the company and will continue to do so. He emphasized the importance of continually investing in these areas, and expressed gratitude to leaders like Matt Booty, Phil Spencer, and Sarah Bond, as well as the entire team, for sustaining the company’s gaming franchise for 25 years.

After Nadella spoke, Sharma explained that Microsoft’s commitment to its gaming business is central to its goal of being a truly outstanding company known for creating fantastic games, systems, and hardware.

During the Q&A, Nadella talked about how he and Phil Spencer – who used to run Xbox – always stressed how vital gaming is to Microsoft’s future. It was a big topic for us, apparently!

I’m very optimistic about this venture,” he explained. “Phil has always pointed out that gaming is the biggest form of entertainment, and we’re constantly thinking about what that future looks like. We’re not abandoning the traditional gaming experience – things like high-quality console games will always be important. But we want to explore where else we can expand. I’m confident in gaming’s potential, and we’ll continue to invest in it. It’s now up to our team to deliver outstanding work with innovative ideas. Developing software always involves some risk, but this is especially true when it comes to creating new content. It’s a different kind of challenge, and we need to be the very best at it.”

Nadella explained that while Microsoft aims to attract more gamers, it’s also committed to keeping its current Xbox fans happy and engaged.

Nadella explained that they aim to build lasting relationships with players. They want people to feel their friendships with the gaming community deepen over time, regardless of whether they play on consoles, PCs, or enjoy games like Forza and Halo. Ultimately, they want players to continue loving the brand by consistently delivering on their expectations.

Looking ahead, Nadella highlighted gaming’s potential for positive impact, emphasizing that it actively involves players, unlike passive forms of entertainment like movies or television. He also pointed out that people only have a limited amount of time and attention, so Microsoft needs to find respectful and appealing ways to engage its users and earn their focus.

He explained that human attention is limited, and the key is finding respectful ways to earn more of it. He believes bringing back genuine enjoyment is paramount, and that gaming offers a unique opportunity to do so. Unlike mindless scrolling, gaming actively engages people, creating a sense of immersion that consoles and PCs excel at. He’s concerned about how easily our attention is being captured and wants to shift that trend. Ultimately, he hopes to foster a world filled with the joy of creating and playing games, believing it would make a positive impact.

Microsoft recently announced Project Helix, their next-generation Xbox consoles. According to company representatives, these new consoles will offer top-of-the-line performance and be compatible with games from both Xbox and PC. We can expect more information to be shared at the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

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2026-03-09 18:41