What you need to know
- Phil Spencer is the CEO of Microsoft Gaming.
- Spencer will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th annual D.I.C.E. Awards.
- The award is being presented by Todd Howard of Bethesda Game Studios.
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th annual D.I.C.E. Awards, as announced on Thursday. The award will be presented by Todd Howard, creative director at Bethesda Game Studios.
Spencer has worked at Microsoft for over 30 years across his career. Formerly head of Xbox since 2014, Spencer was promoted to CEO of Microsoft Gaming in January 2022. Spencer has overseen massive growth at Xbox, particularly of the Xbox first-party teams, including the acquisition of numerous studios such as Ninja Theory and Double Fine, acquiring Bethesda Softworks and the recent deal for Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals recognized in the gaming industry for extroardinary achievements and leadership, with past winners including Ken Kutaragi of Sony in 2007, and Satoru Iwata of Nintendo in 2015.
"Phil Spencer has demonstrated both passion and leadership throughout his entire career at Microsoft. He's responsible for countless impactful and pivotal initiatives that have reverberated throughout the entire gaming industry," said Meggan Scavio, President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. "On behalf of the Academy's Board of Directors, we are looking forward to celebrating Spencer's important impact on video game history by presenting him with our Lifetime Achievement Award."
The 25th annual D.I.C.E. Awards are being held on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. ET. If you're interested in watching the awards, the presentation will be streamed by IGN.
