Leator #SoTFestV

@LokiJimmyB & I feel honoured to be featured in the newest #SeaOfThieves Creator Spotlight. We most definitely did not hide a secret message in the text. 👀 If you want to know more: We‘ll be live later at 6pm CEST. While we stream in German, we‘ll reply to English chats as well

@Dalagonash Oh nooo! Haven‘t been spoiled yet. So I should probably stay offline for the next week? 🥲

In what world did that Mario movie character need to be spoilt 🥹 that isn't a 'sell more tickets' face, that's a 'woah that's a really cool moment' sort of thing.

Great start to the morning with Team Xbox, where we talked about our commitment to the return of Xbox including Project Helix, the code name for our next generation console. Project Helix will lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games. Looking forward to chatting about this more with partners and studios at my first GDC next week!

@NPoverud @shankysanghi @derJamesJackson Yes. And somehow sometimes you manage to use the delays to reach your destination quicker than expected?!?! (I.e. catching delayed trains instead of waiting for your, probably delayed train.)

@shankysanghi @derJamesJackson Really?

You can now bet on German train delays

Want to carry 14 @RareLtd games in your pocket, but lack the spacious leg wallets of a '90s skater? Enter: The @HyperMegaTech Super Pocket Rare Edition! 14 classic Rare titles built-in, Banjo-Kazooie optimised to work on a D-Pad, plays @evercaderetro carts, available in June.

A lot of big news to take in today. First, I want to thank Phil Spencer for all he has done over the years to advocate and support for gaming inside Microsoft. I’m incredibly grateful for the significant positive impact he has had on my life. Through highs and lows Phil was always there to check in and support me and others. I’ve never met an executive that knew our games and spent more time in them than Phil. His feedback on every big showcase or Dev Direct or reveal helped make us better. This never felt like just a job to Phil, it was something deeper. He was always so generous with his time spending hours and hours of with fans at events or meeting with game developers globally. I’m sad to see him leave, but look back on so many memories knowing that Phil leaves a team that deeply loved and respected him. Thanks for all you have done for all us @XboxP3 , hope retirement allows you to spend more time doing what brings you joy. 💚

Phil Spencer's email to employees Subject: A New Chapter for Microsoft Gaming When I walked through Microsoft’s doors as an intern in June of 1988, I could never have imagined the products I’d help build, the players and customers we’d serve, or the extraordinary teams I’d be lucky enough to join. It’s been an epic ride and truly the privilege of a lifetime. Last fall, I shared with Satya that I was thinking about stepping back and starting the next chapter of my life. From that moment, we aligned on approaching this transition with intention, ensuring stability, and strengthening the foundation we’ve built. Xbox has always been more than a business. It’s a vibrant community of players, creators, and teams who care deeply about what we build and how we build it. And it deserves a thoughtful, deliberate plan for the road ahead. Today marks an exciting new chapter for Microsoft Gaming as Asha Sharma steps into the role of CEO, and I want to be the first to welcome her to this incredible team. Working with her over the past several months has given me tremendous confidence. She brings genuine curiosity, clarity and a deep commitment to understanding players, creators, and the decisions that shape our future. We know this is an important moment for our fans, partners, and team, and we’re committed to getting it right. I’ll remain in an advisory role through the summer to support a smooth handoff. I’m also grateful for the strength of our studios organization. Matt Booty and our studios teams continue to build an incredible portfolio, and I have full confidence in the leadership and creative momentum across our global studios. I want to congratulate Matt on his promotion to EVP and Chief Content Officer. As part of this transition, Sarah Bond has decided to leave Microsoft to begin a new chapter. Sarah has been instrumental during a defining period for Xbox, shaping our platform strategy, expanding Game Pass and cloud gaming, supporting new hardware launches, and guiding some of the most significant moments in our history. I’m grateful for her partnership and the impact she’s had, and I wish her the very best in what comes next. Most of all, to everyone in Microsoft Gaming, I want to say “thank you”. I’ve learned so much from this team and community, grown alongside you, and been continually inspired by the creativity, courage, and care you bring to players, creators, and to one another every day. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together over the last 25 years, and I have complete confidence in all of you and in the opportunities ahead. I’ll be cheering you on in this next chapter as Xbox’s proudest fan and player. Phil XBL: P3

@tomwarren So… what do we learn? 🤔

whenever I take some time off, Microsoft drops a huge news bomb 🙃

Rest in peace without any pain or concern, your time to worry and suffer is over @MicaLuz2 safe travels beyond the shroud, we hope you can keep your smile wherever you might go now 🖤🏴‍☠️🤍

Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month theverge.com/tech/875309/di…

The development team behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have been given the status of Knight under the French Order of Arts and Letters, in recognition of their significant contribution to the country's art and culture. bit.ly/4rzDnCC

@ChappersChapman @BUnderpaid Unlike the legendary Obsidian Underpants Contract, of course.

@BUnderpaid Not legally binding.

Oh no! It’s time to pay up! 😃 💚

Last #SoTFest @chapperschapman challenged us to complete the Shores of Gold parkour using our RockBand setup. With no preparation, we've tested our skill during our 5th anniversary & made it all the way to the boss fight. twitch.tv/videos/2623638… Mike, what was your wager again?

Handheld owners are calling it one of the most annoying Windows issues yet — and it shows how fragile these devices can be when AI security tools get in the way. ASUS and Microsoft are looking into it, but there's also a quick fix/workaround that we explain. Details here: windowscentral.com/hardware/handh…

@SoTFest @SeaOfThieves @RareLtd Rumors suggest that @RareLtd has quietly brought in fresh talent across development (David Beckham), design (Wayne Rooney), and quality assurance (Harry Kane). Great times ahead for the studio.

I wonder if any of the @SeaOfThieves or @RareLtd social team will be lining up against us this year... Perfect chance for some revenge on some of the community members I am sure 😂

If you recognize these movements, you may be a rare player who made it to the end of a rather difficult game! More behind the scenes at jordanmechner.com Video recorded 1989 in San Rafael, California. Models: Brian Eheler (my Broderbund product manager) and Tina La Deau (colleague's daughter, in her prom dress).

@RoisinVT @SoTFest Most of the voicing was done by the dev team. Including the people you‘ve seen at the panels or probably already met at the event🙂 But a „The Voices of SoT“ panel would be awesome.

Have you attended SoTFest over the last few years? We want to hear your best memories! Also, If you could bring anyone to the event, who would you want to see? #SoTFestV #SoTFest #SeaOfThieves

@RareLtd @LEGO_Group 👀

We're doing something different for Black Friday. Instead of a sale, we're running a giveaway for Gwent Deluxe! One extra English set will be made during our Q1 2026 production run for a lucky winner. Enter the contest today: noloadinggames.com/pages/gwent-de… Like, comment, and repost!

This was not on the 2025 Bingo card, Who is wearing them for #SoTFestV? I am just glad they are not obsidian... The community is not ready for Obsidian Crocs before we got underpants...