Microsoft says that Phil Spencer, Microsoft Gaming CEO and the top of Xbox, isn’t retiring “anytime quickly.” The corporate has responded to rumors of Spencer’s retirement, which have unfold on-line right this moment following Microsoft’s main layoffs.
“Phil just isn’t retiring anytime quickly,” says Kari Perez, head of Xbox communications, in an announcement to The Verge. The denial comes after Name of Obligation leaker GhostOfHope claimed “Phil Spencer might be retiring from his position as CEO of Microsoft Gaming after the launch of the following technology Xbox” and that Xbox president Sarah Bond can be taking on as CEO of Microsoft Gaming.
Whereas Microsoft’s remark doesn’t handle the rumor totally, it makes it clear Spencer isn’t retiring imminently. Individually, Microsoft communications chief, Frank Shaw, took to X to say that at the very least a part of the rumor was made up.
Spencer initially assumed management of the Xbox division in 2014, a promotion from his position because the boss of Microsoft Studios. Because the boss of Xbox, he’s overseen many huge initiatives, together with the launch of the Xbox Collection X / S, an enormous push into Xbox Recreation Cross, acquisitions of main firms like Activision Blizzard and ZeniMax Media, bringing extra Xbox video games to platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo Change.
Whereas Spencer isn’t retiring anytime quickly, Microsoft is constant its huge cuts right this moment which have affected Xbox studios and workers. Excellent Darkish and Everwild have been cancelled, whereas Forza Motorsport developer Flip 10 Studios might be letting go of greater than 70 staffers. Zenimax On-line Studios additionally reportedly canceled a brand new MMORPG codenamed Blackbird that had been within the works since 2018.