Matt Booty
Matt Booty | |
|---|---|
| Education | Purdue University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Employer(s) | Midway Games (1991–2010) Microsoft (2010–present) |
| Title | CEO of Midway Games (2008–2010) EVP & CCO of Xbox (2026–present) |
| Term | February 20, 2026–present |
| Children | 1 |
Matt Booty is an American business executive who serves as the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Content Officer (CCO) of Xbox, Microsoft's video game division. In his current role, Booty oversees the company's first-party game content strategy, product development, and business operations across Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, and King.[1]
Career
[edit]Midway Games
[edit]Matt Booty began his video game career at Midway Games in 1991.[2][3] In 2002, Booty became the general manager of Midway's Chicago studio.[4] In 2008, Booty became president and Chief Executive Officer of Midway Games during a period of financial difficulty.[5] Matt Booty led restructuring efforts and refocused the company on its core franchises, particularly Mortal Kombat, before Midway filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. Following the sale of the company's assets to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Booty departed in 2010 after nearly two decades with Midway.[6][7]
Xbox
[edit]Matt Booty joined Microsoft Studios in 2010. Booty became Corporate Vice President overseeing Minecraft following Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang Studios in 2014.[8][9] In January 2018, Booty was promoted to Corporate Vice President and Head of Microsoft Studios.[10] During his tenure, Microsoft significantly expanded its internal development organization by creating new studios and acquiring established developers, including Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, inXile Entertainment, Double Fine Productions, and Compulsion Games. Microsoft Studios was later renamed Xbox Game Studios.[11][12] In 2021, Matt Booty's responsibilities expanded following Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, which brought Bethesda Softworks and its development studios into Xbox's portfolio.[13] Booty also led Xbox's strategy of launching first-party titles on Xbox Game Pass on release day while expanding development across console, PC, and cloud gaming.[14]
Internal Microsoft emails released during the acquisition of Activision Blizzard trial showed that Booty advocated for an aggressive acquisition strategy, writing that Microsoft was in a position to "spend Sony out of business." The emails also discussed pursuing acquisitions such as Sega, Bungie, and Niantic.[15] In October 2023, Microsoft promoted Booty to President of Game Content and Studios following the completion of its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.[16] His responsibilities expanded to include oversight of Xbox Game Studios and ZeniMax Media, while Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, and King were integrated into Microsoft's gaming organization.[17]
Following Phil Spencer's retirement and the appointment of Asha Sharma as CEO of Xbox in February 2026, Booty was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer.[18] In this role, Booty leads Xbox's global content strategy, product development, and business operations for first-party gaming content across the company's studios.[19]
References
[edit]- ↑ Xbox, Pure (2024-11-28). "Xbox Exec Talks 'Honouring Our Craft' As They're Named In Variety's Gaming Leaders List". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ Takahashi, Dean (2018-01-18). "Minecraft boss is now in charge of all Xbox game efforts". GamesBeat. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Midway CEO Zucker Departs, Booty Takes Interim Role". Game Developer. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Matt Booty - Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering - Purdue University".
- ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (2008-10-30). "Midway Confirms Matt Booty as President and CEO". IGN. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Interview: A New Day For Ex-Midway Booty With Microsoft's Big Mobile Gaming Push". Game Developer. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Warner Bros. only bidder for Midway assets". GameSpot. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Minecraft Boss Promoted To Oversee Xbox Games And More". GameSpot. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ Takahashi, Dean (2018-01-18). "Minecraft boss is now in charge of all Xbox game efforts". GamesBeat. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ Madan, Asher (2018-01-18). "Minecraft head Matt Booty chosen to lead first-party games at Microsoft Studios". Windows Central. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Minecraft chief Matt Booty taking charge of Xbox game dev and publishing". Game Developer. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Xbox's Matt Booty On Studio Acquisitions And Making Game Pass Valuable". GameSpot. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ Warren, Tom (2021-03-09). "Microsoft completes Bethesda acquisition, promises some Xbox and PC exclusives". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Xbox's Matt Booty On Studio Acquisitions And Making Game Pass Valuable". GameSpot. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "nternal Microsoft emails released during the trial showed that Booty advocated for an aggressive acquisition strategy, writing that Microsoft was in a position to "spend Sony out of business." The emails also discussed pursuing acquisitions such as Sega, Bungie, and Niantic". Bing. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ LeBlanc, Wesley (2020-11-10). "Microsoft Reorganization Includes A New Xbox President And Studios Leader". Game Informer. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ president, Samuel Tolbert A. new Xbox; overseer, ZeniMax/Xbox Game Studios (2023-10-26). "Microsoft reorganizes Xbox gaming leadership, Matt Booty and Sarah Bond grab promotions". Windows Central. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ McCaffrey, Ryan (2026-02-20). "Phil Spencer Retiring, Sarah Bond Out, Matt Booty Promoted as Microsoft AI Exec Asha Sharma Named New Xbox Boss – EXCLUSIVE". IGN. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Xbox's new chief content officer Matt Booty says "there are no organizational changes underway" following abrupt leadership shakeup, which seems like a businessy way of saying no one's been canned". GamesRadar+. 2026-02-21. Retrieved 2026-07-26.