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Gaming Shapes Microsoft's Identity, Nadella Assures Xbox Fans

3/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Satya Nadella, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer, said in a Question-and-Answer session with new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma that gaming is a core Microsoft identity.
He said gaming has shaped Microsoft's development and the tech landscape, notably through investments in DirectX.
Nadella humorously noted that without gaming, neither Microsoft nor NVIDIA might exist.
He reassured Xbox fans about gaming investments despite executive changes.
He denied a blank check claim.

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Story summary

Satya Nadella, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer, said in a Question-and-Answer session with new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma that gaming is a core Microsoft identity.
He said gaming has shaped Microsoft's development and the tech landscape, notably through investments in DirectX.
Nadella humorously noted that without gaming, neither Microsoft nor NVIDIA might exist.
He reassured Xbox fans about gaming investments despite executive changes.
He denied a blank check claim.