Xbox adds Matthew Ball and Scott Van Vliet to leadership team

Microsoft has announced significant leadership changes for Xbox, hiring industry analyst Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer and Scott Van Vliet as chief technology officer. Ball, well-known for publishing the annual State of Video Gaming Report, will focus on strengthening Xbox’s console division, particularly the Xbox Series X|S. Van Vliet, who previously led Azure OpenAI and AI Core infrastructure at Microsoft, brings experience from Amazon (including Amazon Game Studios) and Mattel’s Digital Play division.

The hires are part of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma’s broader strategy to revitalize the brand since taking over three months ago. Sharma has made several significant changes in recent months, including price reductions for Xbox Game Pass, improvements to the user experience, and a strategic manifesto outlining Xbox’s future direction. She has described Ball as a “longtime gamer” who is “widely respected across gaming, media, and technology.”

Ball brings substantial credentials to the role, having previously held strategy and leadership positions at Amazon Studios, Illumination, and Otter Media. He is also CEO of Epyllion, a firm providing investment and strategic advisory services while producing content across television, film, and gaming. His 2022 bestseller, The Metaverse, established him as a thought leader on emerging gaming industry trends.

Additionally, Chris Schnakenberg was promoted to corporate vice president of partnerships and business development, marking another key leadership shift. These moves underscore Microsoft’s commitment to positioning Xbox competitively in the current market environment and building toward future initiatives like Project Helix.

Xbox adds Matthew Ball and Scott Van Vliet to leadership team

Sources