Asha Sharma, the new gaming boss at Microsoft, has taken to social media to engage with Xbox fans and address some intriguing questions about her background. In a bold move, Sharma began interacting with fans just hours after the news broke that she would be taking over from the veteran Xbox chief, Phil Spencer. This major shake-up also led to the resignation of Sarah Bond and a promotion for Matt Booty, the former studios chief.
In a discussion about the best games ever, Sharma acknowledged that she might not be as knowledgeable about gaming as Spencer, but she shared her personal top three picks: Halo, Valheim, and Goldeneye. She even admitted that it had been a while since she played the classic RPG Chrono Trigger, showing a refreshing level of honesty.
But here's where it gets controversial: when a fan accused her of being an AI, Sharma simply replied with a playful 'Beep Boop Beep Boop.' This response sparked curiosity and led to further speculation about her social media presence.
Sharma then shared her Xbox gamertag, AMRAHSAHSA, inviting users to explore her gaming history. It seems she started her Xbox journey this year, with her first achievement unlocked on January 15 in Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Since then, she's played a variety of titles, including Forza Horizon 5 over the weekend. Her account showcases a diverse gaming taste, with achievements in narrative-driven games like Firewatch and Gone Home, as well as indie adventures and roguelites.
On social media, Sharma teased fans with a potential new dashboard design, and even responded to a fan-made 'song' lamenting Spencer's departure and her own appointment.
So, is Asha Sharma's social media presence truly run by AI, or is she simply having some fun with her new role? This is the part most people miss: sometimes, a playful response can spark a whole lot of conversation.
IGN has more insights into Sharma's arrival and the departure of Phil Spencer, including reactions from veteran developers and Spencer's own words to the Xbox community.
Image credit: Microsoft
Tom Phillips, News Editor at IGN, can be reached at tom_phillips@ign.com or found on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social.
