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Microsoft Hired an Analyst with an Influential Video Game Blog to Fix Xbox
Microsoft said Matthew Ball will help shape Xbox strategy as the company adds a new chief technology officer and promotes a business-development executive.
- On Wednesday, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced the hiring of industry analyst Matthew Ball as Chief Strategy Officer to revitalize the division's hardware fortunes and drive future strategy.
- These appointments follow a broader corporate overhaul under Sharma, who replaced former Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer in February to reverse hardware sales declines and improve competitiveness against rivals like Sony and Nintendo.
- Alongside Ball, Sharma appointed Scott Van Vliet, former Azure AI leader, as Chief Technology Officer and promoted Chris Schnakenberg to Vice President of partnerships to strengthen foundations and improve execution.
- Strategic shifts under Sharma include price cuts for the Game Pass subscription service, development of a PC-console hybrid called Project Helix, and removal of the Copilot AI assistant from the ecosystem.
- Xbox will present a roadmap for the rest of 2026 and tease plans for the coming years during a scheduled showcase presentation next month, as the company celebrates its 25th anniversary later this year.
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17 Articles
17 Articles
Microsoft Hires Analyst With Influential Video Game Blog To Fix Xbox
Microsoft has hired games analyst and investor Matthew Ball as Xbox's new chief strategy officer. With a long track record of analyzing the video game market and industry's biggest shifts, Ball's background could help Xbox rethink its hardware and console strategy at a moment when competition is tougher than ever. Engadget reports: Ball is a venture capitalist and tech industry consultant with a well-documented history of analyzing emerging digi…
Matthew Ball had been advising Asha Sharma in secret for 90 days. He is now the Xbox strategy leader, with a mission displayed: to put the console back at the centre of the game.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Left
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources lean Left
100% Left
L 100%
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