Xbox Ablaze: More Top Executives Depart Following Phil Spencer's Exit
March has been marked by significant personnel changes at Microsoft. Following news of Phil Spencer's retirement and Sarah Bond's departure, two more high-ranking executives have left the company.
Among those who resigned are Lori Wright, Corporate Vice President of Partnerships and Marketing, and Haiyan Zhang, who served as General Manager of Xbox Gaming AI.
Wright dedicated ten years to the company. Regarding her future plans, she spoke rather vaguely, mentioning a desire to "enjoy beautiful sunsets and sunrises, exploring everything in between." Insider Tom Warren noted that Wright reported directly to Sarah Bond, which could suggest a possible connection between their departures.
Zhang, also a seasoned industry professional, confirmed her move to Netflix to "bolster their gaming division." Responding to sarcastic online comments about "rats leaving a sinking ship," she stated: "Sometimes it's just about ME and no one else," adding, "It's just a new job, dude. People change jobs."
In light of these developments, the new head of Microsoft Gaming, Asha Sharma, has already begun implementing changes: the marketing initiative "And That's Xbox Too" was quietly discontinued. Concurrently, the company officially announced its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix.
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