Tag: Phil Spencer
News 'I'm Of Two Minds' - Todd Howard Gives His Thoughts On Xbox's Leadership Changes
Excited for the future, but sad to see Phil Spencer go
With the announcement of a major Starfield update earlier today, Bethesda's Todd Howard has been sitting down with IGN for a wide-ranging interview, and he's been asked about how he f
News 'Hello, My Name Is Retired' - Xbox's Phil Spencer Embraces The Humour At GDC 2026
He's also referring to himself as Asha Sharma's assistant
The annual Game Developers Conference is officially underway for its 2026 edition, and both former Xbox boss Phil Spencer and new Xbox boss Asha Sharma have been taking photos with attendees over the past 24 hours. In regards to Phil Spencer specifically, he's been spotted wearing a couple...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer Was Asked About Retirement A Year Ago, And Here's What He Said
"I don't want Xbox to be afraid to innovate"
We've finally now managed to grasp that Phil Spencer is actually leaving Xbox in the very near future — he's currently sticking around until the summer to help Asha Sharma get settled in as Microsoft Gaming CEO — and it's reminded us of a few things that were said about his potential retirement over...
Video Phil Spencer Introduces New Xbox Leader At Microsoft HQ
"An emotional day here for the team."
It's been a busy week for Asha Sharma — not only has she started her first few days on the job as Microsoft Gaming CEO and overall Xbox boss, but she's also been interviewed and introduced to the team over at Microsoft HQ. Posting on social media recently, Xbox exec Aaron Greenberg shared a video of Phil...
Feature Seven Amazing Things Phil Spencer Did During His Reign As Head Of Xbox
Making an impact
This week marks a seismic shift over at Xbox HQ. Phil Spencer, the brand's long-time leader, is retiring - bringing an end to his decade-plus reign as Xbox boss. In the aftermath of Phil making this announcement, we've seen plenty of negativity surrounding the news (this is the internet, after all). However, Phil achieved some...
News Phil Spencer Responds As Industry Legends Celebrate His Xbox Career
"Games will definitely continue to be a passion"
The sudden announcement of Phil Spencer's retirement at Xbox last Friday sent shockwaves throughout the gaming industry, and a whole lot of industry legends have been taking to social media to celebrate his career over the weekend. He's been responding to a lot of them, too! The likes of former Xbox...
News Xbox President Sarah Bond Is Also Leaving The Company, Microsoft Confirms
"Sarah Bond has decided to leave Microsoft..."
Much of the spotlight has been on Phil Spencer and new Xbox boss Asha Sharma in relation to today's huge shakeup over at Microsoft Gaming - but thanks to a departing statement from Phil himself, we now know for sure that Xbox Preside
News New Xbox Boss Makes Official Statement As She Takes Over From Phil Spencer
"I feel two things at once: humility and urgency."
In a seismic bit of news today, Phil Spencer announced that he's retiring as Xbox boss - which means that naturally, someone else has to assume that position over at Xbox HQ. The person taking over is Microsoft's Asha Sharma, who has just shared her first statement as she begins her role as CEO of...
News Phil Spencer Announces That He's Retiring From Xbox
A massive shakeup for Microsoft Gaming
Posting out to his personal LinkedIn account today, Phil Spencer has announced that he's retiring from Xbox, with the current President of Microsoft's CoreAI product Asha Sharma taking over from the long-time chief of Microsoft's gaming division. Phil
News God Of War Creator Suggests Xbox Should Get Involved In Bluepoint Games Situation
"Do NOT let this amazing team splinter"
We covered the news last night about how Sony had decided to shut down Bluepoint Games, and in the hours since the announcement was made, there's been plenty of chatter about whether Xbox could potentially step in at all. Mostly notably, the God of War creator David Jaffe took to social media to suggest that...
News Phil Spencer Reveals 'Xbox 25' Logo And Shares Video Message Ahead Of Developer Direct
Says Xbox will be celebrating "all year long"
With the Xbox Developer Direct showcase around the corner and the 25th year of Xbox finally underway, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has shared a video message to fans over on LinkedIn of all places. In his message, a version of which you can see in the post below, Spencer teased that Xbox will be...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer Shares Lengthy Video Message After Winning 'Industry Icon' Award
"I'm honoured to accept this Industry Icon award"
An event called the Grand Game Awards took place on Friday, celebrating "the best achievements in the gaming industry across the [Middle East and North Africa] region and beyond", and Xbox boss Phil Spencer was recognised as being an "Industry Icon" as part of it. Phil appeared in a video message to...
"We focus on the player; we don’t focus on the device."
All the way back in 2019, before the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S were even fully revealed, there was skepticism that Xbox would be ditching consoles and/or turning into a third-party publisher. The more things change, the more they stay the same! Xbox boss Phil Spencer was asked about...
News Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Shares His Thoughts On Valve's New 'Steam Machine'
"Congrats on today's announce"
In case you haven't seen it yet, Valve has announced a bunch of new hardware for 2026 today including a console-like PC known as the "Steam Machine", and Xbox boss Phil Spencer has been reacting to the reveal on social media. Spencer responded to Valve's announcement post on Twitter, highlighting that Xbox's focus on...
News Xbox Boss Says Forza Motorsport Isn't Dead Despite 'Scaling Back' At Turn 10 Studios
"We sometimes need to shift our focus"
Back in the summer, Xbox developer Turn 10 suffered mass layoffs as part of a huge restructure at Microsoft - and that led to the team promptly halting major updates for Forza Motorsport. Since then, the studio has been confirmed as a support developer on the upcoming
News Phil Spencer Addresses AI & Developer Creativity At Xbox Game Studios
"I really leave it up to the teams..."
In a new panel at the Paley International Council Summit, Phil Spencer sat down with Double Fine Studio Head Tim Schafer to discuss a whole host of gaming-related topics - and the Xbox boss had some interesting things to say about AI use and developer creativity over at Microsoft's gaming division. Despite the...
News Fable's Peter Molyneux Describes Xbox Boss As 'One Of The Best People I've Worked With'
As part of a new interview with Edge Magazine
Long before Xbox boss Phil Spencer actually became the head of the brand in 2014, he was playing an important role in shaping its future back in the early days - and Fable creator Peter Molyneux has shared some kind new words about his experience with the now-Microsoft Gaming CEO. Molyneux has been...
News Xbox Boss Names Four Franchises That Fans Keep Asking To See Revived
Any guesses?
In a recent interview at Tokyo Game Show 2025, Xbox boss Phil Spencer talked to IGN Japan about a number of different gaming-related topics - naming four classic Xbox franchises that fans often ask to see revived by Team Green along the way. In the fairly freeform chat which saw Phil answer a few laid back question
News Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Shares Message Ahead Of Tokyo Game Show 2025 Broadcast
"Thank you, and we hope you enjoy the show"
Tokyo Game Show 2025 is right around the corner! In fact, this week of TGS-flavoured showcases has actually already begun - but Xbox's broadcast kicks off tomorrow, and boss Phil Spencer is here to share a few words ahead of the showcase. With Xbox's neon-soaked Tokyo Game Show art in the background, Phil...
News Xbox Leadership Looks Genuinely Thrilled To Be Working With Kojima Productions On OD
Phil's hyped
Earlier today, we got our closest look yet at Kojima Productions' OD — via the game's 'Knock' teaser trailer — and it looks as though watchers at home weren't the only ones excited by what they were seeing. The new Kojima trailer was pulled from the team's 'Beyond the Strand' livestream, which we've included up above if you'd like...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer & Sarah Bond Make Surprise Appearance At ChinaJoy 2025
Checking out games from Tencent, NetEase and others
The ChinaJoy gaming festival has been taking place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre over the past few days, and although Xbox wasn't expected to play a major role in the event, Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond ended up making a surprise appearance! In a series of photos shared by the...
News Phil Spencer Isn't Retiring Anytime Soon, Says Xbox In Response To Rumour
Xbox's head of communications chimes in
As if today hasn't been enough of a whirlwind for us at PX HQ — and everyone else closely following Xbox right now — fresh rumours are doing the rounds that long time boss Phil Spencer may step down from his role in the near future. Call of Duty insider TheGhostOfHope has gone public with this, claiming...
News Xbox Layoffs Begin As Phil Spencer Shares Internal Microsoft Gaming Update
"Today we are sharing decisions that will impact colleagues"
Brace yourselves, folks - Microsoft is in the midst of announcing another round of layoffs across multiple Xbox divisions. For now, Activision's King team and some of Bethesda's ZeniMax marketing team are seemingly affected, with Phil Spencer addressing impacted employees in a lengthy...
News Phil Spencer Gives Special Shoutout To Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Indie
It's called "Mixtape", and the Xbox boss LOVES the soundtrack
We saw a lot of upcoming Xbox Game Pass titles during the summer showcase season this year, and one that perhaps flew under the radar a bit was Mixtape - a title that was featured during the Summer Game Fest 2025 livestream. This is an upcoming 2025 adv
News Phil Spencer Hypes Up Clockwork Revolution Following Xbox Games Showcase Reveal
"I knew it would be one of the real standouts"
InXile Entertainment's Clockwork Revolution wasn't announced for the first time at the Xbox Games Showcase this past weekend, but we did get a proper gameplay reveal that seemed to attract unanimous praise from Xbox fans. And, in an interview following the event, Xbox boss Phil Spencer hyped up the...
News Phil Spencer Says 2026 Is Going To Be 'A Really Special Year' For Xbox
He also explains why some big games are skipping 2025
Towards the end of Xbox's big summer showcase this year, boss Phil Spencer came out to introduce Call Of Duty: Black Ops 7 - but not before he championed the ROG Xbox Ally and
News Xbox & Windows Worked 'As One Development Team' To Make The ROG Xbox Ally
"This is the tightest collaboration I've seen"
Since the Xbox Games Showcase wrapped up this past weekend, you've probably seen lots of PX content on the ROG Xbox Ally — because we're incredibly excited about it — and now Xbox boss Phil Spencer has chimed in on just how much work went into making the ASUS handheld a reality. Talking on a fresh...
News It Sure Sounds Like We're Getting A New Halo Game In 2026
Is this what Phil was talking about?
Towards the end of the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer mentioned how a new Fable, Gears, Forza and the "return of a classic" would be releasing in 2026 - as we've highlighted elsewhere on Pure Xbox: <related ids="183609"> A lot of people took that "return of a classic" mention...
News Phil Spencer Teases Four Massive Xbox Games For 2026, Including A New Forza
Maybe new Halo as well?!
In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment at the end of the Xbox Games Showcase today, Xbox boss Phil Spencer teased four massive Xbox games coming out in 2026, including two that we've never heard about before! Phil listed the new Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, a new Forza game (!) and an unknown "return of a classic": "I'm...
News Phil Spencer Teases 'Surprises You Won't Want To Miss' For Sunday's Xbox Showcase
Bring it on, Phil
We haven't heard much from Xbox boss Phil Spencer recently, but he's suddenly made a surprise appearance on Twitter ahead of Sunday's Xbox Games Showcase 2025, and he's certainly hyping up the big event! In his post, he advised that he's been "sworn to secrecy" about what'll be featured in the Xbox Showcase this year, but it's...
News Xbox Boss Teases Even More 'Unannounced' Games In The Pipeline For 2025
"I'm making sure I don't leak anything"
Xbox's release slate for 2025 is looking pretty strong already, with the likes of Avowed and South of Midnight already shipping, and then DOOM: The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2 to come - but Xbox boss Phil Spencer also sounds pretty excited about what's not been announced for this year yet. Talking in a...
News Xbox Boss Says Microsoft Remains Committed To Developing New IP
"We can do new IP. We can do new games"
In a fairly wide-ranging interview with outlet Variety this week, Xbox boss Phil Spencer was asked plenty of questions about the Microsoft Gaming business, including how Xbox Game Pass is faring these days. However, when posed a question about
News Phil Spencer Discusses Why Xbox Game Pass Isn't For Everyone These Days
"I look at Game Pass as a healthy option for certain people"
Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass service has been a huge part of its gaming plans in recent years, with much of the team's marketing involving Xbox Game Pass availability in some fashion. However, Team Xbox has begun broadening its horizons lately by releasing titles on platforms that don't...
News Phil Spencer 'Very Excited' About Xbox Handheld Plans For 2025
"We've teased and talked..."
With ASUS seemingly teasing an Xbox handheld last week, there's been a lot of talk about the device in the days ever since, and Xbox boss Phil Spencer has also teased something to do with handhelds happening in 2025. In an interview with iJustine, Spencer mentioned that his team have "teased and talked" about handheld...
Video Phil Spencer Shows Off 'Secret Xbox Lab' For Next-Gen Hardware
"Where the next generation of Xbox is being crafted"
Microsoft is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the company, and as part of those celebrations, "Today" has provided an exclusive look at what it's calling a "secret Xbox lab" where the next generation of Xbox is being made. Now, annoyingly, we can't embed the video in here at the time of...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer On Film & TV Shows: We're Gaining Confidence, We're Going To Do More
"We’re learning and growing through this process"
We've seen Xbox delving into the TV and Film realm quite a few times over the past few years, and according to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, there will be more examples as the team continues to learn and gain confidence. Speaking to Variety this week, Spencer acknowledged that there may be...
News Phil Spencer 'Excited' About Xbox Copilot, An AI Tool That Helps Players Finish Games
"This experience puts players at the centre"
Microsoft has today announced that its AI Copilot software will be usable on games in the near future - with Xbox Insiders getting "an early preview on mobile soon". Copilot for Gaming, as it's being introduced, is an "AI-driven sidekick designed to be your personalised gaming companion, helping you get...
News Xbox Will Be 'Honest & Transparent' About Platforms In Future Showcases, Says Phil Spencer
"I just want to be transparent with people"
So far, Xbox's move towards putting games out on other platforms has felt hesitant at times, but that should change in future - according to Microsoft Gaming's CEO. In a recent interview with Phil Spencer himself, the Xbox boss mentioned that Team Green will be "honest and transparent" about the platforms...
News Phil Spencer Says Xbox Is Done Trying To Convince PS5 & Switch Players To Move Over
"I’m not trying to move them all over"
Over the weekend, a fresh Phil Spencer interview dropped where the Xbox boss talked lots about the future of Microsoft's gaming business - including what's next for the team and its desire to release games wherever players want to play. When asked about 'becoming SEGA' and effectively going third-party, Phil...
Talking Point It's Been A Year Since Phil Spencer Announced The 'Xbox Business Update' Event
What followed was a turning point for Xbox
As we move further and further into 2025, Xbox's multiplatform approach is now a very tangible reality, but at one time it seemed like an unbelievable change of course for a console platform holder. That time, funnily enough, was exactly one year ago today - when boss Phil Spencer ended rampant speculation...
News Phil Spencer's Recent Gears Activity Has Nothing To Do With Rumoured Remasters
He's simply been training the rook
A week or so ago, Gears fans with a keen eye spotted Xbox boss Phil Spencer revisiting the old Xbox 360 games for the first time in over a decade - prompting fresh discussion about a potential 'Marcus Fenix Collection', as has long been rumoured. While the boss has neither confirmed nor de
News Xbox's Phil Spencer Had A Big Role To Play In The Creation Of Ninja Gaiden 4
"We were having difficulty deciding on a plan"
Ninja Gaiden 4 was the big surprise of the Xbox Developer Direct last week, and many were surprised to see Xbox publishing a PlatinumGames / Team NINJA (Koei Tecmo) title in the first place - which is down to Phil Spencer! In an interview with Game Watch re
News Phil Spencer Shares His Aspirations For Xbox Before He Reaches Retirement
"Let's stay willing to take risks..."
It's been over 10 years now since Phil Spencer became the head honcho of Xbox, and in another ten years, he will have reached retirement age in the United States. Sorry Phil, we swear we're not trying to make you sound old! With this in mind, he was asked by interviewer Destin Legarie over the weekend about his...
News Xbox Boss Dismisses Idea Of Removing The Series S Parity Clause
"I think about it in almost exactly the opposite way"
Ever since the Xbox Series S was first released back in 2020, we've heard very occasionally from developers who have had a tough time getting their games onto it - Baldur's Gate 3 was the most high-profile example to date. In fact, during that saga, it was mentioned that Xbox had parity clauses...
News Xbox Fans Hoping For 'Marcus Fenix Collection' News After Phil Spencer Revisits Gears Classics
Update: Phil shuts down the speculation
Remember a few years ago when some sort of Gears of War remastered collection seemed to be constantly churning away in the rumour mill? Well, those rumours have died down quite a lot over the last year or so - but Xbox boss Phil Spencer's recent gaming activity is getting people's hopes up once again...
News Phil Spencer Shares His Xbox 'Year In Review', And He's Been Very Busy In 2024
"So many fun games this year"
Earlier this week, Microsoft launched its 'Xbox Year in Review' tool for 2024, and of course - we've all been checking and comparing our personal stats here at PX HQ. However, we're also curious about what other folks have getting up to on Xbox this year - and following on from Snoop Dogg's reveal yesterday, Phil...
News Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Congratulates Departing PlayStation Exec On Their 'Amazing Career'
"Congrats on an amazing career at PlayStation"
Longtime Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida has announced their departure from PlayStation this week, and Xbox boss Phil Spencer has sent the exec a warm message - as he prepares to leave one of Microsoft's biggest competitors in the gaming space. Taking to Twitter early this morning, Phil sent his...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer Knows How Annoying The Forza Horizon 4 Situation Is
He says he's "very careful" about taking on licenses
All the way back in June, it was announced that Forza Horizon 4 would be getting delisted on the Xbox Store beginning December 15th, and unfortunately we'd been expecting it for a while - it always happens with Forza games! Why? Well, there are licensing deals attached to these titles (think of...
News Xbox Boss Provides Multiple Reasons Why A 'PS5 Pro' Competitor Isn't Necessary
Phil doesn't see the need for it
Xbox boss and Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has talked on a couple of occasions about why he doesn't really feel the need for a PS5 Pro competitor, but this is the first time he's talked about since the console actually came out. His view hasn't changed though. Speaking to Rolling Stone this week, Spencer told...
News Phil Spencer Explains Why 'This Is An Xbox' Will Be Beneficial To Console Owners
"We’ll definitely do more consoles..."
The whole "This is an Xbox" campaign that Microsoft unveiled yesterday really spelled out a key new message - that Microsoft is trying to consider every single gaming device as something that you can play Xbox games on. We knew it'd prove controversial, and it has been. The main source of controversy comes...

















































