Microsoft’s new Xbox shake-up is all about platform changes
Microsoft’s new head of Xbox, Asha Sharma, has spent the last two months making her mark on the Xbox organization. After focusing on high-demand features of the Xbox console, reducing the price of Game Pass, and bringing Microsoft Gaming back to Xbox, Sharma is now reorganizing the Xbox platform team at Microsoft.
The changes will see the departure of some veterans, promotions and new faces with more technical expertise to help the Xbox Platform team. Jared Palmer, who worked with Sharma in Microsoft’s CoreAI division, joins Xbox as vice president of engineering and technical advisor to Sharma. In a memo to Xbox employees, seen by The edgeSharma says Palmer will work “directly with me on our most complex product and engineering problems, with a focus on developer tools, tastes and infrastructure.”
Tim Allen, former VP of design at Microsoft CoreAI and SVP of design and research at GitHub, is also joining Xbox to lead design. Sharma says Allen’s appointment is “the first time she has brought together product design, design engineering, research and creation with a focus on fans.”
Jonathan McKay, former head of growth for Microsoft’s CoreAI division, is also joining Xbox to lead its growth, data platform and analytics. Evan Chaki, former general manager of CoreAI, is joining a new team at Xbox to “lead a forward-deployed engineering group focused on removing repetitive work, simplifying development, and improving the way we operate.”
Many people are joining Xbox from Microsoft’s CoreAI team, and it looks like Sharma is bringing in his former colleagues to give the Xbox organization a bit more technical expertise for the platforms and experience in areas like growth and data. It’s also a lot of AI experimentation, which is sure to ring alarm bells with some Xbox fans, but looking at the appointments, there’s no clear AI push for Xbox here.
In fact, last week, Sharma posted on This of course seems to be a much greater focus on improving the underlying Xbox software platform.
These leadership changes at Xbox largely affect the platform teams led by former Xbox president Sarah Bond. Microsoft initially announced Bond’s departure in February, and she remained in place as Sharma’s “special advisor” to help him with the leadership transition. Many expected Bond to be named head of Xbox, but Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella decided to shake up the direction of Xbox with an outsider.
As part of this new Xbox shakeup, Roanne Sones, vice president of Xbox devices and ecosystem, will “take a leave of absence after this summer and remain an advisor.” Sones previously reported to Bond and helped lead the launch of Xbox Ally devices.
Kevin Gammill, Xbox’s vice president of user experience, is also leaving the role after nearly 20 years at Microsoft. “He has dedicated over 15 years to Xbox and will support the transition,” says Sharma. “I’m grateful for his leadership and everything he’s built here.”
Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation, is also receiving a promotion as part of these changes. “When it comes to hardware, we elevate Jason Ronald, who is responsible for the Helix project and our platform,” says Sharma. It is, however, unclear what Ronald’s new title is. Jason Beaumont will “lead product and serve as interim head of engineering” as part of these changes.
“This is an important time for Xbox,” says Sharma. “Our goal with this change is simple: to create an affordable, personal and open platform while staying close to the work and people we serve. We will continue to add the capabilities necessary to achieve this.”
