- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Redmond Today
By the People, for the People
Video Game Industry Leaders Commemorate Phil Spencer's Retirement
Over a dozen industry figures share stories and praise for the outgoing Xbox head as he enters retirement after 38 years at Microsoft.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
As Phil Spencer, the longtime head of Xbox, enters retirement after 38 years at Microsoft, over a dozen video game industry leaders have shared their thoughts and stories commemorating his career. The leaders, including CEOs from major publishers like Ubisoft and CD Projekt RED, praised Spencer's skills as a "true gamer" who had a keen eye for spotting quality games from a player's perspective rather than just an executive's.
Why it matters
Phil Spencer's retirement marks the end of an era for Xbox and the broader video game industry. As a long-serving and influential figure, Spencer's departure will be felt across the industry, and the comments from his peers provide insight into the type of leader he was and the impact he had during his tenure.
The details
The industry leaders shared various anecdotes about working with Spencer, including stories about how he immediately supported ambitious game projects like Battlefield 1 and was able to recognize the potential of titles from a player's point of view. Several noted Spencer's ability to be a "stabilizing figure" at Microsoft during the company's long journey in interactive entertainment, with former Xbox executive Peter Moore praising Spencer's accomplishments in that regard.
- Phil Spencer officially retired on February 23, 2026.
- Spencer began his career at Microsoft as an intern in 1988.
The players
Phil Spencer
The longtime head of Xbox who is retiring after 38 years at Microsoft, where he started as an intern in 1988.
Yves Guillemot
The chief executive officer of Ubisoft.
Shuhei Yoshida
A former Sony executive who is now retired.
Patrick Söderlund
The chief executive officer of Embark Studios and a former executive at EA and DICE.
Rod Fergusson
The current lead on Bioshock 4.
What they’re saying
“He looked at it from the point of view: 'Is this a great game?' His instinct was spot on.”
— Patrick Söderlund, Chief Executive Officer, Embark Studios (GamesIndustry.Biz)
“Phil's immediate reaction was, 'Hell yeah, this is amazing, let's back this.'”
— Patrick Söderlund, Chief Executive Officer, Embark Studios (GamesIndustry.Biz)
“History tends to smooth out the noise of the moment. When that happens, I suspect Phil will be remembered as one of the stabilising figures in Microsoft's long journey in interactive entertainment.”
— Peter Moore, Former Xbox Executive (GamesIndustry.Biz)
What’s next
Asha Sharma, the new head of Xbox, will look to build on Spencer's legacy and continue to steer the platform in a positive direction.
The takeaway
Phil Spencer's retirement marks the end of an influential era for Xbox and the broader video game industry. The praise from his peers highlights his skills as a "true gamer" who could recognize quality games and provide stabilizing leadership at Microsoft, setting the stage for the next generation of Xbox leadership.
