Indian-origin PlayStation exec who interned in Microsoft pens emotional note for Phil Spencer

Phil Spencer began at Microsoft as an intern in 1988 and rose to oversee the entire Xbox business, guiding acquisitions such as Activision Blizzard, Mojang and ZeniMax, and nearly tripling the size of Microsoft’s gaming division. (Image credit: AFP)

After Phil Spencer announced on Saturday that he would be retiring from his role as Microsoft Gaming CEO, an Indian-origin based in Los Angeles, has shared an emotional note on how Spencer's leadership left a deep impression on him during his internship at the tech giant.

Mihir Sheth, currently a senior product development director at PlayStation, said that Spencer cancelled scheduled meetings to support a group of interns, including him, preparing a crucial prototype presentation.

'You can make someone feel big or feel small'

Sheth wrote that during his internship at Microsoft in the summer of 2011, he stayed through the night with his team working on a prototype ahead of their final presentation to Spencer. He recalled that Spencer cancelled pre‑planned meetings so the interns would have enough time to fully explain their work.

Sheth said the gesture left a deep impression: “You can make someone feel big or feel small. And if you make them feel big, they might see themselves that way too.” He added that although he did not work under Spencer again after the internship, the experience stayed with him as a formative professional moment.

The Kinect prototype that started it

Sheth elaborated that the internship project involved a small Kinect-based game with an experimental visual design. He described it as similar to a Super Smash Bros‑style level, with an avatar built from a real‑time camera feed. Players could use their hands as paddles to bounce characters around—a concept he said was “interesting tech” at the time.

Spencer announces retirement after 38 years

Phil Spencer confirmed his retirement in a public message, saying it was “rare in life to know when a chapter is closing,” and that after 38 years, “that moment has arrived.” Spencer thanked colleagues, creators and players, calling the gaming community one that “meant more to me than I can say.”

Spencer began at Microsoft as an intern in 1988 and rose to oversee the entire Xbox business, guiding acquisitions such as Activision Blizzard, Mojang and ZeniMax, and nearly tripling the size of Microsoft’s gaming division. He will remain for a transition period as the leadership reshuffle continues.

Asha Sharma takes over Microsoft Gaming

Microsoft has named Asha Sharma, an Indian-origin executive, as the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming. Sharma joined Microsoft in 2024 and previously led product efforts in the company’s Core AI division. Her appointment comes as the gaming arm navigates slowing console momentum and a shifting strategy following major acquisitions. [moneycontrol.com]

Spencer praised Sharma’s “curiosity and commitment to strengthening the foundation” Xbox teams have built, saying he is confident the gaming community “will be well supported in the years ahead.”