Microsoft replaces Xbox heads Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond with AI exec

[LemmingO]

Reading the title, I thought that Microslop had replaced the head of the Xbox division with an AI.

At this point, I'm up for it.

 

[LemmingO]

For those who didn't understand XBox's strategy: they were trying to become a Steam. Someone had a huge hard-on for Steam-level financials.

They wanted to separate the marketplace from the hardware, and "make every device an XBox".

Then they effed-up by being greedy and raising prices on services.

Now they're scrambling and appointing people that have shown success in retail areas.

If it all goes south, this will "show" they tried their best.

It will go south. Microslop is still thinking "modern audience".

 

[onebignerd]

Replace CEO Nadella, the Board of Directors and the heads of Windows 11 development with AI bots, then maybe there will be some clear planning and decision making at Microsoft! At least a chatbot will to listen to feedback, because current Microsoft management sure doesn't!

 

[DukeJukem]

There is an option to not be sexist you know

You said it kid, not me. DEI has a broader scope than just someone's gender.

You shouldn't be informing people of their options while simultaneously disagreeing with the "option they've chosen." This person has no experience. It's a DEI hire, based on inclusion.

Same goes for hiring your kid (who sucks) for a job over a pro. This is the exact same thing

 

[Burty117]

So not only is she planning on recommitting to consoles, she's posted about bringing back the blade UI as well.

She's making better decisions than Phil or Sarah so far.

 

[JaredTheDragon]

The article mentions all the big name corporations that she has been linked to, but I genuinely wonder what her contribution and accomplishments are. That is a lot of companies to be involved with at such a young age, I can’t really grasp how someone can have a meaningful impact on such a short period of time.

Executive decision making being what it is, she doesn’t necessarily need to be a gaming expert to have an impact, but with seemingly very little (if any) industry involvement is certainly a questionable hire.

Maybe MS is putting someone in there as a transitional hire while the do a bunch of sunsetting.

"She" has never worked a day in "her" life.

 

[Rock Dirty]

You said it kid, not me. DEI has a broader scope than just someone's gender.

You shouldn't be informing people of their options while simultaneously disagreeing with the "option they've chosen." This person has no experience. It's a DEI hire, based on inclusion.

Same goes for hiring your kid (who sucks) for a job over a pro. This is the exact same thing

"It's a DEI hire, based on inclusion."

Provide documented facts to support this assertion.

 

[Nobina]

Has she even played Call of Duty?

 

[LordVile95]

You said it kid, not me. DEI has a broader scope than just someone's gender.

You shouldn't be informing people of their options while simultaneously disagreeing with the "option they've chosen." This person has no experience. It's a DEI hire, based on inclusion.

Same goes for hiring your kid (who sucks) for a job over a pro. This is the exact same thing

Your options are either being racist or sexist. I guess you’ve just removed the ambiguity.

How do you know they don’t have experience or haven’t been interviewed for the position? How do you know how successful they’ve been in previous positions? You wouldn’t have levelled the same accusation if they were a white man would you.

 

[gamerk2]

We're now hearing what most of us suspected: Spencer was told to retire or get fired.

Spencer's mistake was going on a massive spending spree, putting the spotlight on the division. Turns out if you spend $68 Billion you better start turning a profit at the end of it.

EDIT

Oh, and Microsofts CFO demanding the brand get 30% profit margins probably didn't help Spencer survive either, not after that spending spree.

I suspect Xbox as a brand is DOA. We'll see gamepass rolled back to try and drive platform sales through day 1 releases, but it's more then likely that Microsoft's new Xbox team sees their massive developer infrastructure much more valuable then the brand as a whole. Xbox will pivot back towards what the XB1 was attempting to be, and after that fails (again) you'll likely see the HW side of things die out, "Xbox" living on as a game streaming service.

 

[abdulhkeem]

Nice move MicroSlop next stop XSlop.

 

[LordVile95]

We're now hearing what most of us suspected: Spencer was told to retire or get fired.

Spencer's mistake was going on a massive spending spree, putting the spotlight on the division. Turns out if you spend $68 Billion you better start turning a profit at the end of it.

EDIT

Oh, and Microsofts CFO demanding the brand get 30% profit margins probably didn't help Spencer survive either, not after that spending spree.

I suspect Xbox as a brand is DOA. We'll see gamepass rolled back to try and drive platform sales through day 1 releases, but it's more then likely that Microsoft's new Xbox team sees their massive developer infrastructure much more valuable then the brand as a whole. Xbox will pivot back towards what the XB1 was attempting to be, and after that fails (again) you'll likely see the HW side of things die out, "Xbox" living on as a game streaming service.

Actually I’m expecting them to pivot more into the PC side of things. Have a Xbox which is effectively a W11 machine with an Xbox GUI which allows you to play games bought on several stores such as steam. If done right it could be a massive win.

 

[GoldenGoat]

I may be out of touch, but it seems to me like gaming is what's keeping Windows alive in consumer markets. I wouldn't use it if it weren't for gaming. To me, a Windows PC is a glorified xbox already. Most people just do everything on their phone these days. I do most of my browsing, email, etc on my phone. Only thing I use my PC for is gaming.

 

[LordVile95]

I may be out of touch, but it seems to me like gaming is what's keeping Windows alive in consumer markets. I wouldn't use it if it weren't for gaming. To me, a Windows PC is a glorified xbox already. Most people just do everything on their phone these days. I do most of my browsing, email, etc on my phone. Only thing I use my PC for is gaming.

Microsoft really doesn’t care that much about the PC space, they have enough market share to promote mindshare and are the only option for the majority of business’ not only due to software compatibility but the fact it’s ingrained into infrastructure.