technology
Microsoft Reorganizes Xbox Platform Team with New Hires and Leadership Changes
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a reorganization under CEO Asha Sharma, introducing new technical experts and promoting internal leaders. The changes include departures of veterans and a focus on platform improvements. The moves follow Sharma's recent adjustments to Game Pass pricing and organizational structure.
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Microsoft is reorganizing its Xbox platform team effective May 5, 2026, bringing in new faces with technical expertise while announcing departures and promotions among veterans, The Verge reported. Asha Sharma, the Xbox CEO at Microsoft, detailed the changes in a memo to Xbox employees on May 5, 2026.
She stated that the goal is to build a platform that is affordable, personal, and open by staying close to the work and the people served, and to continue adding needed capabilities.
Sharma has spent the past couple of months making changes to the Xbox organization, including reducing the price of Game Pass and moving Microsoft Gaming back to Xbox. Jared Palmer is joining Xbox as VP of engineering and technical adviser to Sharma. Palmer previously worked with Sharma in Microsoft’s CoreAI division.
In the memo, Sharma stated that Palmer will work directly with her on complex product and engineering problems, with a focus on developer tooling, taste, and infrastructure. Tim Allen is joining Xbox to lead design. Allen was the former Microsoft CoreAI VP of design and GitHub’s senior VP of design and research.
Sharma stated in the memo that Allen’s appointment is the first time bringing together product design, design engineering, research, and creative with a fan-first focus. Jonathan McKay is joining Xbox to lead its growth, data platform, and analytics. McKay was the former head of growth at Microsoft’s CoreAI division.
Evan Chaki is joining a new team in Xbox to lead a forward-deployed engineering group focused on removing repetitive work, simplifying development, and improving operations. Chaki was a former general manager in CoreAI. The reorganization follows the departure of Sarah Bond, the former Xbox president, which Microsoft announced in February 2026.
