At the third annual Grand Game Awards, held in Algeria in 2025, Phil Spencer was named the inaugural recipient of the newly established Industry Icon award.
The ceremony celebrated the year’s most exceptional titles, including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which was crowned Game of the Year.
Upon receiving the accolade, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming extended his gratitude to the Grand Game Awards and the Xbox organization:
“I am deeply grateful for this recognition. It is a profound honor to share this moment with our team and the community that continues to inspire us every single day.”
Spencer reiterated Xbox’s commitment to “delivering games to as many people as possible through every conceivable channel,” highlighting the significant milestones the division achieved throughout 2025.
However, the award sparked significant debate, with critics pointing to the current state of Xbox and the ongoing challenges within its console hardware business.
Source: iXBT.games