In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft's new gaming leader, Asha Sharma, has taken to social media, engaging with Xbox enthusiasts and addressing concerns about her gaming expertise and AI-related background. This comes just days after IGN exclusively reported that Sharma was chosen by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to succeed veteran Xbox head Phil Spencer, triggering a significant reshuffle that also led to the resignation of Sarah Bond and the promotion of Matt Booty.
Amidst lively discussions about the greatest games ever, Sharma acknowledged that she wasn't as knowledgeable about gaming as Spencer, but shared her personal top three picks: "Halo, Valheim, and Goldeneye." In response to a fan who cited Chrono Trigger as their all-time favorite, Sharma noted that it had been a while since she played the classic RPG. When confronted with the accusation that her account was run by AI, Sharma playfully replied with a robotic "Beep Boop Beep Boop."
Sharma also revealed her Xbox gamertag, AMRAHSAHSA, inviting users to explore her gaming history. It appears she started her Xbox journey this year, unlocking her first achievement on January 15 with "Your Journey Begins" from Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Since then, she's played 30 titles, including Forza Horizon 5 over the weekend.
Her account showcases a diverse gaming taste, with achievements in narrative-driven games like Firewatch, Gone Home, and What Remains of Edith Finch, as well as indie adventures like A Short Hike and the roguelite BALL x PIT.
In a lighthearted tweet, Sharma teased the Xbox community, asking, "Should bring the blade dashboard?" and even reacted to a fan's autotuned song lamenting Spencer's departure and her appointment as his successor.
IGN has covered Sharma's arrival and Spencer's departure extensively, including reactions from veteran developers, Spencer's personal message to the Xbox community, and Sharma's responses to concerns about her AI background and lack of gaming industry experience.
Image credit: Microsoft
Tom Phillips, IGN's News Editor, can be reached at tom_phillips@ign.com or found on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social.
