
Microsoft Refutes Rumors of Phil Spencer's Retirement
Microsoft clarifies that Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, is not retiring amidst significant layoffs within the company.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has not announced any plans to retire soon. Recently, following substantial layoffs affecting about 9,000 employees, rumors emerged that he would step down after the launch of the next Xbox console. However, Microsoft has stated this rumor is unfounded.
In response to speculation initiated by a tweet from a Call of Duty leaker, Microsoft’s communications head, Kari Perez, confirmed, “Phil is not retiring anytime soon.”
While this doesn’t explicitly deny future retirement, it dismisses immediate concerns. Additionally, Frank Shaw, a communications lead at Microsoft, subtly countered the rumors with a tweet suggesting the claims were fabricated.
The layoffs included notable cuts from Spencer’s division, affecting various teams within Microsoft. Spencer justified these layoffs by highlighting the company’s financial success, reporting a $25.8 billion net income for the last quarter, attributing it to “tough decisions” made in the past.
With Spencer at the helm, Microsoft is navigating through significant structural changes, amidst fears of future layoffs and game cancellations.