<div id="readability-page-1"><figure> <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25283723/STK048_XBOX_B.jpg/query-Y3JvcD0wLDAsMTAwLDEwMCZxdWFsaXR5PTkwJnN0cmlwPWFsbA?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="2040" height="1334" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25283723/STK048_XBOX_B.jpg/query-Y3JvcD0wLDAsMTAwLDEwMCZxdWFsaXR5PTkwJnN0cmlwPWFsbA"/> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> Microsoft has recruited game industry analyst Matthew Ball as Xbox chief strategy officer. Ball publishes an annual state of video gaming report, which is a popular read across the game industry, and he's &#34;widely respected across gaming, media, and technology,&#34; according to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. Sharma announced Ball is joining Microsoft in a memo to Xbox employees this morning, seen by The Verge. She described Ball as a &#34;longtime gamer,&#34; who has held strategy and leadership roles at Illumination, Amazon Studios, Otter Media, and Accenture Strategy. &#34;Matthew has been partnering with us on strategy since day 10 and will officially start this … Read the full story at The Verge.</div>

MSFT

GAMR

MSFX

MSFO

ESPO

MSFU

MSFL

HERO

Microsoft has appointed Matthew Ball as Xbox's chief strategy officer. Ball, a respected game industry analyst known for his annual video gaming report, has previously held leadership roles at Illumination, Amazon Studios, Otter Media, and Accenture Strategy. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced his hiring in a memo, highlighting his long-standing partnership with the company.

- Microsoft has appointed game industry analyst Matthew Ball as the Xbox chief strategy officer.  
- Ball is known for his annual state of video gaming report and has held roles at Illumination, Amazon Studios, Otter Media, and Accenture Strategy.  
- Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that Ball has been collaborating on strategy with Microsoft since the beginning of the project.

Xbox hires game industry analyst Matthew Ball to lead strategy