MICROSOFT — Asha Sharma took the helm at Microsoft Gaming on Wednesday as the company’s new executive vice president and CEO. The move places an Indian-origin executive with a track record in global scaling at the forefront of one of the tech giant’s key entertainment arms.

Sharma steps in after Phil Spencer, who built the division through major acquisitions like Activision Blizzard. Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced the appointment, highlighting Sharma’s skills in expanding services to billions of users worldwide. ‘Asha has a proven ability to build and scale platforms that delight customers at global levels,’ Nadella said in a company statement.

Before joining Microsoft, Sharma served as chief operating officer at Instacart, where she oversaw operations for the grocery delivery service amid explosive growth. She previously held vice president positions at Meta, focusing on business modeling and platform expansion. Her career also includes stints at other tech firms, emphasizing rapid scaling in competitive markets.

In her first comments on the role, Sharma outlined priorities for Microsoft Gaming. She pledged to develop standout games, revive the Xbox brand and redefine interactive entertainment. ‘We’re committed to crafting exceptional games while handling industry shifts like AI and new monetization models,’ Sharma said. She stressed protecting the creative essence of game development amid technological upheaval.

The appointment adds to the roster of Indian-origin leaders at major U.S. firms. Sharma joins figures like Google’s Sundar Pichai and Microsoft’s own Satya Nadella in steering global tech powerhouses. Microsoft has not disclosed her start date but indicated she will report directly to Nadella.

Microsoft Gaming encompasses Xbox consoles, Game Pass subscriptions, cloud gaming and studios such as Bethesda and Blizzard. The division generated $21.5 billion in revenue last fiscal year, up 44% from the prior period, according to company filings. Spencer, who remains with Microsoft in an advisory capacity, had led since 2022 following the Activision deal’s regulatory approval.

Sharma’s arrival comes as gaming faces headwinds. Console sales dipped industry-wide, while mobile and cloud platforms surge. Rivals like Sony and Tencent pour billions into live-service titles and metaverse bets. Microsoft recently laid off 1,900 gaming staff in restructuring, signaling a pivot toward efficiency.

Analysts view Sharma’s operational expertise as a fit for these challenges. ‘Her Instacart tenure showed she can handle logistics at scale, crucial for Game Pass’s 34 million subscribers,’ said Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter. Sharma’s focus on innovation could accelerate AI integration in tools like Azure for developers.

Microsoft stock rose 1.2% in after-hours trading following the news. Investors eye how Sharma balances creator freedom with profitability in a market projected to hit $211 billion globally by 2025, per Newzoo estimates.

Sharma, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. She expressed excitement about Xbox’s legacy. ‘Xbox has always pushed boundaries. We’ll honor that while building what’s next,’ she said.