Podcast | Episode 97
Xbox's big reset | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 97...
Company Profile
Microsoft
Website
www.microsoft.com
About
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services, and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
Related People
Satya Nadella
CEO
Brad Smith
President
Asha Sharma
EVP and CEO of Microsoft Gaming
Miguel Vicente
Audience Marketing Manager, Portugal
Agostino Simonetta
Director for global partnership management ID@Xbox
Andy Lunique
Influencer Relations Manager
+3 more
Accolades
Articles featuring Microsoft
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Hot Five
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Ai Safety
Xbox executive Asha Sharma joins US Federal Reserve task force on jobs and productivity
Sharma will help assess how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies affect the economy and monetary policy
Mobile Mavens
"The business logic is understandable. The human cost is devastating": The Mobile Mavens on Xbox's restructuring
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Xbox Redefined
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Union Support
CWA vows action after Microsoft layoffs impact unionised Xbox game workers
The union plans to bargain over severance, job placements and recall rights
Strategic Move
Xbox CEO says mobile to play key role as Microsoft restructures gaming business
Asha Sharma said the Microsoft games division spread its resources too thin
Leadership
Xbox appoints Helen Chiang as first chief operating officer
The appointment comes as Microsoft continues a broader restructuring of its Xbox business
Xbox Reset
King and Mojang to report directly to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma after company "reset"
The Candy Crush and Minecraft developers were highlighted for their large player bases
Sweeping Cuts
Xbox to cut 3,200 jobs and divest five studios
Microsoft is laying off 1,600 staff today and will make more staff redundant over the coming year
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Record D2C revenue and international studios flock to Spain | Week in Mobile Games podcast
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Layoffs Imminent
Report: Xbox plans major layoffs as new CEO pushes restructuring effort
The cuts would mark the first major restructuring under CEO Asha Sharma
Settlement
Microsoft agrees $250m settlement in Activision Blizzard deal lawsuit
Both parties deny any and all allegations of fault, liability, wrongdoing or damages
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The Sensor Tower / AppMagic deal unwrapped and Xbox's random rebrand | Week in Mobile Games podcast
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Leadership Hires
Xbox hires Matthew Ball and Scott Van Vliet in leadership team expansion
Focus is on improving execution and speeding up product development
Jobs Roundup
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Week In Views
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Leadership Change
Microsoft reshuffles Xbox leadership as Asha Sharma pushes turnaround
The Windows company will discontinue Copilot on console and begin winding down the mobile version
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Hot Five
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Strategic Move
Microsoft says Xbox mobile store “not dead” despite stalled rollout
Xbox also outlined a new strategy in a recent blog post
New Offerings
Microsoft cuts Game Pass price and drops Call of Duty day-one releases
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Xbox Game Pass’ value debate and Doki Doki Literature Club’s policy clash | Week in Views
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Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass "too expensive for players", as per leaked memo
New Microsoft Gaming EVP and CEO Asha Sharma’s internal memo has been leaked
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Hot Five
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The future of Xbox and Pokémon's 30th anniversary | Week in Mobile Games podcast
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Mobile Mavens
Evolution or revolution at Xbox? The games industry reacts to leadership changes in Microsoft's games division
The Mobile Mavens share their insights on the past, present and future of Xbox
Leadership Change
New Xbox leadership insists there's no top-down AI directive from Microsoft
Console remains central to Xbox’s identity despite multi-platform publishing shifts
Xbox Verdict
"Bad news for Xbox": Analysts react to the leadership shakeup at Microsoft's games division
Games industry analysts offer their insights on the future of Xbox as Phil Spencer exits and Asha Sharma steps in
Hot Five
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Executive Shuffle
Xbox's outgoing president Sarah Bond: "I’m proud of what we’ve built together"
Executive releases statement after executive shuffle at Microsoft's games division
End Of An Era
Phil Spencer retires as ex-Instacart COO takes top job at Microsoft Gaming
Xbox president and COO Sarah Bond also exits the firm as Matt Booty is promoted to EVP and chief content officer
Jobs Roundup
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Super Bowl Surprises
Pokémon and Mario splash the cash with Super Bowl LX ads
Lady Gaga’s favourite Pokémon, how Yoshi rides a motorbike and more unveiled at the NFL’s premium event
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Best Of 2025
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Milestone
Asus reports strong sales for Xbox ROG Ally X
The handheld’s October 16th debut drew an “extremely positive” market response
Mobile Minecraft
Mojang and King launch Minecraft Blast playtest in Malaysia
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Service Disruption
Microsoft Azure global service outage impacts Minecraft and Xbox services worldwide
The Windows company said an accidental configuration change triggered the global disruption
Best Of 2025
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