Albert Penello, who helped plan the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One at Microsoft, recently passed away after a battle with cancer. He died on December 31st, 2025, and is survived by his wife and daughter.
Many people in the gaming industry have shared their sadness over the loss, including Larry Hryb, known as Major Nelson and formerly the director of programming for Xbox Live. He described Albert as a key figure at both Microsoft and Amazon, a highly respected voice in the industry, and a devoted friend and family man, deeply loved by his wife, Dara, and daughter, Lily.
Peter Moore, former president of Xbox, also shared his thoughts on Penello’s death, describing him as a “true legend” and someone who always approached challenges with energy and a positive attitude – even memorable ones like the HD DVD format. Moore said Penello will be deeply missed by everyone in the Xbox community and leaves a significant void.
Mike Ybarra, who used to lead Blizzard Entertainment, praised Penello as a genuinely kind and enthusiastic gamer. He highlighted Penello’s unwavering dedication and energy, noting his significant contributions to Xbox. Ybarra remembers Penello as someone who always fought for what was best for players and relentlessly pursued the right solutions.
After leaving Microsoft in 2018, Penello joined Amazon Web Services. However, Windows Central reports that he’s been quietly consulting on Xbox’s next-generation hardware for several months, demonstrating his continued dedication to the brand he played a key role in building.
Penello started a project to make a high-quality Mighty Orbots action figure, inspired by the 1984 cartoon. He created Machine Dream Toys and obtained the rights to produce a deluxe 12-inch figure that combines five separate Orbots into one larger figure. This project was a labor of love, fueled by Penello’s long-time hobby of collecting robot toys from the 1980s.
With just eight days remaining, the Kickstarter campaign has raised $61,673 towards its $95,000 goal. Even after the loss of Penello, the team is determined to complete the project, saying they are “more committed than ever.”
Devastated by the loss of my close friend, @albertpenello – Albert was a pillar of gaming at Microsoft and Amazon, a brilliant, trusted voice in our industry, a loyal friend, and most importantly a husband and father who was profoundly loved by his wife, Dara and daughter, Lily.
— Larry Hryb, Gamer Emeritus 📱⌨️🖱️🎮 (@majornelson) January 2, 2026
We’re deeply saddened by the loss of a true icon. Albert was an incredibly positive and energetic person who always embraced new challenges – many will remember his work on projects like HD DVD. He will be greatly missed by everyone in the Xbox community and leaves behind a significant void.
— Peter Moore (@PeterMooreUSA) January 3, 2026
It’s with great sadness that I learned today that Albert Penello has passed away after battling cancer. Albert was a dedicated employee of Xbox for many years and a true gaming enthusiast. I recently spoke with him about a month ago to see how he was doing, and even then, his attitude and spirits remained remarkably positive despite his…
— Mike Ybarra (@Qwik) January 2, 2026
Read More
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Can You Visit Casino Sites While Using a VPN?
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Transformers Powers Up With ‘Brutal’ New Combaticon Reveal After 13 Years
- 5 Best Things 2010s X-Men Comics Brought To Marvel’s Mutants
- Lies of P 2 Team is “Fully Focused” on Development, But NEOWIZ Isn’t Sharing Specifics
- 5 Xbox 360 Games You Forgot Were Awesome
- Unveiling the Quark-Gluon Plasma with Holographic Jets
- If you ditched Xbox for PC in 2025, this Hall Effect gamepad is the first accessory you should grab
2026-01-04 21:41