# Matt Booty

> Matt Booty is the EVP and Chief Content Officer of Microsoft Gaming, overseeing content strategy and development across nearly 40 studios including Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, and King. A Purdue-trained engineer with an MFA, he began his career at Midway Games in 1991 - working on Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam - before rising to CEO of Midway in 2008. He joined Microsoft in 2010, led the Minecraft global team, and has since orchestrated some of the largest acquisitions in gaming history, including the $7.5B ZeniMax/Bethesda deal and the $68.7B Activision Blizzard King acquisition.

- **Role:** EVP and Chief Content Officer at Microsoft Gaming
- **Organizations:** Microsoft, Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Activision Blizzard King, Midway Games
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. in Computer and Electrical Engineering, Purdue University, M.F.A. in Fine Arts, Purdue University
- **Known for:** EVP and Chief Content Officer overseeing nearly 40 studios at Microsoft Gaming (2026), Orchestrated $68.7B Activision Blizzard King acquisition integration (2023) - largest in gaming history, Led $7.5B ZeniMax/Bethesda acquisition and integration (2020)

## Career timeline

- **1988** — Graduated Purdue University with B.S. in Computer and Electrical Engineering
- **1991** — Joined Midway Games Chicago as engineer/programmer, worked on Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, NFL Blitz
- **1992** — Earned MFA in Fine Arts from Purdue University
- **1996** — Led development of Hyperdrive (arcade) - his first game as team leader/game designer at Midway
- **2002** — Promoted to General Manager of Midway Chicago studio
- **2004** — Elevated to Senior VP of Worldwide Studios at Midway Games
- **2008** — Became CEO and President of Midway Games
- **2009** — Midway Games filed for bankruptcy; eventually acquired by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- **2010** — Joined Microsoft, leading first-party mobile game development and Xbox Live Arcade
- **2014** — Led global Minecraft team following Microsoft's $2.5B acquisition of Mojang
- **2018** — Named Corporate VP of Microsoft Studios (Head of Xbox Game Studios), reporting to Phil Spencer
- **2020** — Oversaw $7.5B ZeniMax/Bethesda acquisition; received Purdue OECE Award; named to Variety 500
- **2021** — Orchestrated first combined Xbox-Bethesda Games Showcase
- **2023** — Promoted to President of Game Content and Studios following $68.7B Activision Blizzard King close
- **2024** — Announced closure of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Games, Roundhouse Studios
- **2025** — Closed The Initiative studio amid Microsoft's broader 9,000-job cuts
- **2026-02** — Elevated to EVP and Chief Content Officer, Microsoft Gaming under new CEO Asha Sharma
- **2026-04** — Co-authored 'We Are Xbox' staff memo establishing new cultural principles and strategic pillars

## Achievements

- EVP and Chief Content Officer overseeing nearly 40 studios at Microsoft Gaming (2026)
- Orchestrated $68.7B Activision Blizzard King acquisition integration (2023) - largest in gaming history
- Led $7.5B ZeniMax/Bethesda acquisition and integration (2020)
- Grew Xbox Game Studios from ~5 studios to nearly 40 between 2018-2023
- Steered global Minecraft business through explosive growth on Nintendo Switch, VR, Education, and Marketplace
- Rose from entry-level engineer to CEO of Midway Games over 17 years
- Purdue Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineer (OECE) Award, 2020
- Variety 500 honoree, 2020 and 2021
- Co-authored 'We Are Xbox' cultural reset memo establishing Xbox as challenger brand (2026)
- Delivered DigiPen Institute of Technology commencement address, April 2026

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Co-authored 'We Are Xbox' staff memo with CEO Asha Sharma, establishing new cultural operating principles and four strategic pillars for Microsoft Gaming
- **2026-04** — Delivered commencement address to DigiPen Institute of Technology graduating class of 230 students
- **2026-02** — Elevated to EVP and Chief Content Officer of Microsoft Gaming as Phil Spencer retired and Asha Sharma became CEO
- **2025-07** — Announced closure of The Initiative studio as part of Microsoft's 9,000-job cut initiative
- **2024-05** — Announced closure of four Bethesda studios: Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog Games, and Roundhouse Studios

## Links

- Website: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/tag/matt-booty/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattbooty
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mattbooty

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/matt-booty
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-31