Asha Sharma, the new Microsoft Gaming CEO, has commented again on her vision for the Xbox brand going forward. Posting on social media, Sharma also reacted to what people have had to say about her gamer cred.
Sharma recently shared her Gamertag online, and people had a lot of things to say about that. She clarified that the account was created somewhat recently so she could "learn and understand" the world of gaming. "I don't pretend to be the best gamer and even though I'm playing, that's still not my goal," she said.
Instead, Sharma said she is focusing on making "Xbox the best place to play," with a promise of helping Xbox to "return to our roots." She added that she wants to "ship great things and become stronger for the future." She also pushed back yet again on the claim that AI is writing her posts. "Yes, I'm writing my own posts," she wrote.
Sharma only just took over as Microsoft Gaming CEO on February 23, so it's still early days as it relates to understanding how she will lead the ship and how it could be different from previous leaders. She said he wants to help her teams build games with "deep emotional resonance" and a "distinct point of view." She pointed to 2016's Firewatch as an example of a game that makes people "feel something."
She also reacted to someone saying they want Xbox to get back to making exclusive games, but whether or not Microsoft's multiplatform strategy will actually change is unknown.
A number of high-profile gaming executives over the years have been open with regards to their level of interest in and experience with video games. Strauss Zelnick, the head of GTA owner Rockstar's parent company Take-Two, has said time and again that he does not play games. Robbie Bach, who oversaw Xbox during the highly successful Xbox 360 days, also said he is "not a gamer."
As for interacting with the gaming community, Xbox founder Seamus Blackley said Sharma is about to see first-hand how gamers are generally impatient and intolerant. Blackley also advised Sharma to quit her job right now if she is not passionate about games or does not plan to become someone who is.
Sharma has faced questions about the role that AI could play for gaming at Xbox going forward. She was previously a top boss for Microsoft's CoreAI division, and this led some to wonder if she will further push AI onto the Xbox teams. That remains to be seen, but Sharma has already said she is keen to avoid "soulless AI slop" and that she has "no tolerance for bad AI."
Even before Sharma took over, Microsoft was highly enthusiastic about AI in gaming, despite developers at the company's Candy Crush team saying they were replaced by AI tools they helped create.
Sharma takes over for Phil Spencer, who had been with Microsoft for 38 years. He's not leaving entirely right away, though, as he's staying on through the summer to help with the handoff to Sharma. Xbox president Sarah Bond has left the company entirely, while Xbox veteran Matt Booty got a promotion.
Source
Sharma recently shared her Gamertag online, and people had a lot of things to say about that. She clarified that the account was created somewhat recently so she could "learn and understand" the world of gaming. "I don't pretend to be the best gamer and even though I'm playing, that's still not my goal," she said.
Instead, Sharma said she is focusing on making "Xbox the best place to play," with a promise of helping Xbox to "return to our roots." She added that she wants to "ship great things and become stronger for the future." She also pushed back yet again on the claim that AI is writing her posts. "Yes, I'm writing my own posts," she wrote.
Sharma only just took over as Microsoft Gaming CEO on February 23, so it's still early days as it relates to understanding how she will lead the ship and how it could be different from previous leaders. She said he wants to help her teams build games with "deep emotional resonance" and a "distinct point of view." She pointed to 2016's Firewatch as an example of a game that makes people "feel something."
She also reacted to someone saying they want Xbox to get back to making exclusive games, but whether or not Microsoft's multiplatform strategy will actually change is unknown.
A number of high-profile gaming executives over the years have been open with regards to their level of interest in and experience with video games. Strauss Zelnick, the head of GTA owner Rockstar's parent company Take-Two, has said time and again that he does not play games. Robbie Bach, who oversaw Xbox during the highly successful Xbox 360 days, also said he is "not a gamer."
As for interacting with the gaming community, Xbox founder Seamus Blackley said Sharma is about to see first-hand how gamers are generally impatient and intolerant. Blackley also advised Sharma to quit her job right now if she is not passionate about games or does not plan to become someone who is.
Sharma has faced questions about the role that AI could play for gaming at Xbox going forward. She was previously a top boss for Microsoft's CoreAI division, and this led some to wonder if she will further push AI onto the Xbox teams. That remains to be seen, but Sharma has already said she is keen to avoid "soulless AI slop" and that she has "no tolerance for bad AI."
Even before Sharma took over, Microsoft was highly enthusiastic about AI in gaming, despite developers at the company's Candy Crush team saying they were replaced by AI tools they helped create.
Sharma takes over for Phil Spencer, who had been with Microsoft for 38 years. He's not leaving entirely right away, though, as he's staying on through the summer to help with the handoff to Sharma. Xbox president Sarah Bond has left the company entirely, while Xbox veteran Matt Booty got a promotion.
Source