Microsoft Reorganizes Xbox Platform Team with New Hires and Leadership Changes

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.

Bond has remained as a special advisor to Sharma since February 2026. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella decided to appoint an outsider as Xbox chief instead of Bond. Roanne Sones, corporate vice president of Xbox devices and ecosystem, will take a leave of absence after summer 2026 and stay on as an advisor.

Sones previously reported to Bond and helped lead the launch of the Xbox Ally devices. Kevin Gammill, corporate vice president of Xbox user experience, is stepping down after nearly 20 years at Microsoft. Gammill has dedicated more than 15 years to Xbox, and Sharma stated in the memo that he will support the transition and expressed gratitude for his leadership.

Jason Ronald, vice president of next gen, is receiving a promotion as part of the changes. Sharma stated in the memo that Ronald is being elevated and is accountable for Project Helix and the platform. Jason Beaumont will lead the product and serve as interim head of engineering as part of the changes.

Last week before May 5, 2026, Sharma posted on X that Xbox is refocusing AI efforts to solving player problems like enhancing real-time graphics, improving discovery, and deepening personalization. Tom Warren, a senior correspondent at The Verge and author of Notepad, has covered Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years.