Former Xbox Executive Calls Operations Under Asha Sharma a ‘Circus’

Former Microsoft executive and Xbox veteran Shannon Loftis has sharply criticized the gaming division’s leadership over its handling of Helen Chiang’s departure. Loftis called what is happening inside Xbox under CEO Asha Sharma a “circus” and said she felt sorry for employees working in those conditions.

This is not the first time Loftis has criticized Sharma. The source article suggests jealousy between the two women may be a factor.

Chiang was Xbox’s chief operating officer. Microsoft reportedly fired her last month for violating internal company rules. Chiang has indirectly accused Xbox leadership of spreading false information about the reasons for her departure.

Loftis supported her former colleague in a LinkedIn comment on Chiang’s post. She said Xbox’s current leadership had lost its moral compass and criticized Sharma and her team’s handling of Chiang’s dismissal.

Loftis spent 29 years at Microsoft, where her responsibilities included developing the Age of Empires franchise. She said a real CEO would look for the person who spread false information about the reasons for Chiang’s dismissal rather than allow such a situation to occur.

The criticism comes during a difficult period for Microsoft’s gaming division. Gears of War: E-Day was previously reported to have sold fewer than 500,000 copies, despite an estimated development budget of $500 million. Xbox also failed to meet its annual financial targets once again.