In the aftermath of its massive purchase of Activision Blizzard, Xbox announced there would be a reshuffle in the leadership for Xbox and Zenimax.
According to The Verge, Microsoft has announced there will be a huge change in leadership for their Xbox division as well as their subsidiary Zenimax. This revelation comes in the wake of Microsoft’s historic purchase of Activision-Blizzard for $69 billion. Of the many changes to executive positions announced, the two new leaders are Microsoft Veterans Matt Booty and Sarah Bond. Booty is the new head of game content and Microsoft’s studios, Zenimax included. Jamie Leder, the CEO of Zenimax, will still hold his position but answer to Matt. Bond is now the president of Xbox, overseeing the platform and its hardware. Additionally, Microsoft’s head of marketing, Chris Capossela, stepped down after 32 years.
The Reasoning Behind Microsoft’s Decision
The main reason cited for Microsoft’s restructuring was that it was preparing for the upcoming changes to the gaming industry. Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Games, said during an interview “As our business continues to grow, it’s important that we structure ourselves to sustain that momentum with effective clarity and accountability across Gaming.” The restructuring will also allow Microsoft to better coordinate with its various departments within the industry
According to the report, this change gives Microsoft, Zenimax, and Activision Blizzard a chance to publish even more games. As shown by these acquisitions, Microsoft has ambitious plans for both expanding the catalog of its game pass and continuing its newly-owned franchises. Spencer said of this newfound collection, “We have thirteen $1B+ franchises in our portfolio and we just set new records for engagement in Game Pass.”
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With its recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has also overcome a long legal battle and is a step closer to gaining a monopoly in the gaming industry. Whether these acquisitions and subsequent changes in leadership will lead to success is yet to be seen.
Source: The Verge
