Xbox players and industry observers were surprised last week when Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer announced his retirement, with Xbox president Sarah Bond also announcing plans to leave the company. Now, Bond has shared her reasons for stepping away from the company.

In a lengthy post on her LinkedIn page, Bond wrote that she committed to staying with Xbox and guiding it through "a critical period of change" following the Activision Blizzard buyout in 2022. She went on to share her belief that the moment has been "navigated" and Xbox's gaming division is ready for "what comes next."

"With that, I've decided this is the right time for me to take my next step, both personally and professionally," wrote Bond. "We're living through a transformative technological era that will shape the next generation of our industry, and I'm energized by what's ahead. This moment also presents a unique opportunity for fresh eyes and new leadership to guide the team into its next chapter."

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Last year, Chris Stockman--the original design director for Saints Row--told fans that he was working on a pitch to return the franchise to its roots. Now, Stockman isn't holding out much hope for a revival and believes the franchise is "dead."

Stockman made his original remarks on Discord, which have since been posted on X (via Eurogamer). "I think the franchise is dead, unfortunately," wrote Stockman. "I get the sense that Embracer has zero ability to do anything with it. I wish things were different. I tried my best to offer a path forward, but they've ghosted me."

Remember when we got excited about the prospect of a Saints Row prequel? Well according to Saints Row 1 Design Director Chris Stockman, Embracer is completely ignoring the idea.
Saints Row is once again dead. https://t.co/cpPVcRjxwD pic.twitter.com/FWpjC6kmkT

— rpg! (@papaRPG) February 20, 2026

The most recent game in the series was the 2022 Saints Row reboot, which under-performed compared to its predecessors. In 2023, Saints Row developer Volition was shut down by Embracer, and there's been no concrete news about the franchise since that time.

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A pair of skaters tested their might on the ice with an Mortal Kombat-inspired theme and became the first athletes in their country's history to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.

Georgia's Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava brought their Mortal Kombat routine to the exhibition gala, with Metelkina dressed as Kitana and Berulava as Sub-Zero. Their performance was backed by The Immortals' "Techno Syndrome" from the original 1995 Mortal Kombat movie. Metelkina and Berulava recreated some of MK's non-lethal moves, and included a Friendship and a Fatality. They ultimately won the silver medal in skating pairs.

The Gala performances are absolutely stunning! #MilanoCortina2026 #FigureSkating pic.twitter.com/Rg40gEiNd8

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) February 21, 2026

NBC hasn't posted the footage from Metelkina and Berulava's Olympic routine online, but the pair have shared their performance before, including at the ISU World Team Trophy event in Tokyo last year.

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Set sail for mystery and beauty in Jigsaw Realms: Lost Isles, a relaxing jigsaw experience set across enchanting, long-forgotten islands. Explore tropical shores, hidden ruins, misty cliffs, and magical island realms! The game features 30 handcrafted levels, each depicting a unique island scene filled with atmosphere and wonder. Play using touch controls or controllers! With the built-in saving system, you can stop whenever you want and continue later without losing progress. Designed for both short sessions and extended play, Jigsaw Realms: Lost Isles is perfect for relaxing on the go or unwinding at home.

Welcome to Frost Vale, a frozen Nordic valley buried in snow, ice, and ancient mystery. Explore a vast, icy landscape inspired by Nordic wilderness - towering mountains, frozen forests, and silent ruins hidden beneath the frost. Wander through the valley as you search for hidden locations. There are no rushing timers - only the cold wind, the echo of your footsteps, and the thrill of discovery.

Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta - Day One Edition (Switch)

$60 | Releases June 30

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First released for PS Vita in Japan over a decade ago, Ys: Revelations in Celceta quickly became a hit, garnering rave reviews from critics for its real-time combat and engaging narrative. It would eventually make its way stateside, and now a premium new version is coming to Nintendo Switch on June 30. Preorders are now open for Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta - Day One Edition, which comes bundled with a slew of collectibles. If you missed out on the original adventure--or want to relive it on a modern screen--be sure to give it a look.

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The Fractured Kingdom is holding an election in Cavalier Game Studios' new card-based roguelike Prime Monster. This nation has a three-party system that lets players choose between Viscount Sucksworth of the Vampiric Victory party, Orcs-4-U representative Chopper Badstone, and The Zombified People's Movement's prime shuffler, Rotilda De Cay. They're all monsters here, and there's no promise too outrageous for them to make in order to gain political power.

The demo for Prime Monster is out now on Steam, and the cards let players unleash every dirty trick in the book. Murder isn't out of the question, but why kill your political opponent when you can smear their good name and ruin their reputation? Some fates are worse than death for these mostly dead creatures.

Cavalier Game Studios is going for political satire with some of the available initiatives, including calls for same-hex marriage and demands to release the nosferatu files. And rather than discouraging players from making false promises to the electorate, Prime Monster rewards them for lying. The more outlandish the promise, the more likely it is to keep you in power. These voters are pretty gullible, and they don't seem to mind voting for the greater evil.

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Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is retiring from the company and Xbox president Sarah Bond is leaving in a massive shakeup for the gaming giant.

Spencer had been with Microsoft since 1988, starting as an intern and rising through the ranks to become the overall head of gaming within Microsoft. IGN was first to report the news.

Shortly after it was made public, Spencer himself announced it via a post on Twitter, saying, "It's rare in life to know when a chapter is closing, but after 38 years at Microsoft, that moment has arrived for me. I've made the decision to retire and begin the next chapter of my life. It's a milestone that's given me a chance to reflect on the incredible journey I've been fortunate enough to share with so many of you."

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Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Switch 2 Edition

$65 | Releases April 16, 2026

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Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is making the jump to the Nintendo Switch 2. This new version upgrades the game's visuals and performance to take advantage of the Switch 2's more powerful hardware. You can expect higher resolution and framerates on Switch 2--along with all the extra story content and gameplay tweaks present in the Switch version of the game. While the Switch 2 digital version is available on the eShop for $65 (or as a $5 upgrade patch for those who already own the Switch version), physical copies of Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Switch 2 Edition are launching on April 16, 2026. Preorders for the physical release are available now for $65 at Amazon and Best Buy.

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Switch 2 Edition$65 | Releases April 16, 2026

Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition - Switch 2 Edition includes is the full Switch game and Switch 2 upgrade patch on the cartridge. There are no preorder bonuses announced, but the upshot is you get the full game data on the card, unlike many other Switch 2 titles that require hefty downloads as a Game-Key Card.

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