Xbox players and industry observers were surprised last week when Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer announced his retirement, with Xbox president Sarah Bond also announcing plans to leave the company. Now, Bond has shared her reasons for stepping away from the company.
In a lengthy post on her LinkedIn page, Bond wrote that she committed to staying with Xbox and guiding it through “a critical period of change” following the Activision Blizzard buyout in 2022. She went on to share her belief that the moment has been “navigated” and Xbox’s gaming division is ready for “what comes next.”
“With that, I’ve decided this is the right time for me to take my next step, both personally and professionally,” wrote Bond. “We’re living through a transformative technological era that will shape the next generation of our industry, and I’m energized by what’s ahead. This moment also presents a unique opportunity for fresh eyes and new leadership to guide the team into its next chapter.”
Bond went on to praise incoming Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma, who previously served as president of the company’s CoreAI division. She also pledged to remain as a special adviser to Sharma for “a smooth transition.” Bond went on to offer a brief update about the next generation of Xbox consoles.
“Our next console is well underway, and together we’ve helped lay the foundation for a more open gaming platform that spans devices and reaches players around the world,” said Bond.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has previously indicated that the next Xbox could be more like a PC. However, there have been reports that ongoing memory shortages may delay the next iterations of both Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
As for Bond’s next move, she remains a member of the board for Tyson Foods, and earns $125,000 per year for job as a director for that company. She also recently received a massive award of Tyson Foods stock.
