Summary

  • Xbox VP Kareem Choudhry leaves Microsoft - part of ongoing leadership changes at Xbox.
  • Xbox undergoing restructuring post-Activision deal, bringing uncertainty among fans.
  • Choudhry's exit impacts Xbox's AI initiatives, but potential for Game Pass, Xbox handheld brightens future.

Xbox corporate vice president (CVP) Kareem Choudhry is reportedly leaving Microsoft after spending more than two decades at the company. The departure of Choudhry comes during a period of change within the Xbox division and uncertainty among fans regarding the future of the console manufacturer.

Ever since the closure of the long-delayed Activision-Blizzard acquisition last year, Xbox has been undergoing some major restructurings as part of a leadership reorganization initiated by Microsoft. Several key figures from Activision, like Bobby Kotick, Lulu-Cheng Meservey, and Mike Ybarra left Microsoft in recent months. Meanwhile, a number of existing Xbox executives, like Sarah Bond and Matt Booty, were promoted into higher positions at the company. This changing of the guard is occurring at a time in which a sentiment of doubt and concern has enveloped the Xbox brand. Most of this stems from the moment when Microsoft officially announced earlier this year that four first-party Xbox exclusives were going multi-platform, bringing into question Microsoft's commitment to the console market and sparking discussions in regards to Xbox potentially becoming a third-party publisher.

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According to a report from Windows Central's Jez Corden, after 26 years of working at Microsoft, April 5th, 2024 is Kareem Choudhry's last day at the company, making him the latest Xbox executive to make an exit. It appears, though, that his departure has nothing to do with the restructuring efforts going on at Microsoft, and that he is leaving on good terms. Nonetheless, the loss of his talents is sure to be unfortunate for the Xbox team. After all, Choudhry was involved in a number of Xbox's biggest initiatives over the last decade or so, such as xCloud and backwards compatibility on the Xbox Series X/S. Most recently, though, Choudhry contributed to Microsoft's as-of-yet unveiled gaming AI division, helmed by a group referred to as the Xbox Emerging Tech team, or XEmTech.

It was noted in an internal memo sent to Xbox employees that XEmTech would be folded into the wider Xbox hardware division. The decision to place the Xbox Emerging Tech Team under the console hardware organization was made in an effort to "accelerate innovation" in the field of artificial intelligence, with things like Microsoft's own AI upscaling solution and a rumored Xbox chatbot in development being key examples of these efforts.

Even More Shakeups Within Xbox

With the constant corporate restructuring and the departure of an esteemed executive like Kareem Choudhry, Xbox appears to be undergoing some turbulent times at the moment. However, there are some bright spots, especially for Game Pass, which has only recently begun receiving Activision-Blizzard games, starting with Diablo 4. Rumors of a dedicated Xbox handheld, meanwhile, also appear to become more legitimate by the day. Some analysts, meanwhile, are making bright predictions about the success of Game Pass in the long term. At the very least, though, hopefully these changes in leadership will result in improved satisfaction of Xbox customers in the long-term because, at the moment, morale in the Xbox community is not very high.

  • Image
    Xbox Series X offers seamless gaming experience with high-quality visuals.
    Microsoft Xbox Series X
    Display card main info widget
    4K Capability
    Yes, Up to 120Hz
    Power Source
    AC Adapter
    Display card main info widget end

    The Xbox Series X boasts the fastest CPU and GPU configuration currently available for a current-generation console while offering 1TB of fast SSD storage for users out of the box.

    It comes with an Xbox Series S|X controller, a power cord, and documentation along with a trial for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the box.

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  • Image
    Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller in deep pink
    Microsoft Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller
    Display card main info widget
    Brand
    Microsoft
    Platform
    Xbox Series X|S, PC
    Display card main info widget end

    It’s not exactly surprising that Microsoft has one of the best controllers on the market for their own system, even if it is a little basic. It has all of the functions a gamer needs from the quick share button to the hybrid d-pad to the 3.5mm jack for wired headsets. The life of the controller can last as long as 60 hours on just two AA batteries, or players can simply plug in the controller with a USB-C cord to keep playing while the batteries are charging.This controller offers a smooth grip, lightly textured joysticks, and a comfortably balanced weight that rests easily between hands. The mechanisms of the controller are similarly well-made and don’t often require maintenance or have drift issues as long as it's kept clean.

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