Gaming News

By Deimos EMK · Published Oct 9, 2026 · 4 min read · AI-drafted, source-checked

Cover: GenZHype original graphic. All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.

By the numbers: this timeline documents 4 events from Mar 30, 2025 to Oct 8, 2026, drawn from 5 sources.

“beyond gameplay through film and television adaptations, consumer products, partnerships, and live experiences.”

via kotaku.com

Background

Before joining Microsoft, she spent 13 years at Lucasfilm, eventually becoming the VP of franchise marketing and integrated planning. She also held positions at MGM and Universal. Maria Angelidou-Smith, who is replacing Walters as head of Mojang, previously served as the chief product officer at Reddit. Both executives will report to Xbox head Asha Sharma.

The announcement follows a July 2026 memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who announced plans to cut approximately 3,200 jobs and stated that the video game business needed a major reset. Sharma also announced that four game studios would leave Xbox and that the CEO of Mojang would begin reporting directly to her.

Xbox has previously expanded its franchises beyond gaming, including a live-action Fallout series on Prime Video and a Minecraft-themed area set to open at Chessington World of Adventures near London in 2027.

The timeline

1. Mar 30, 2025

   World premiere of A Minecraft Movie at Cineworld Leicester Square

   Variety reports that Jamie Laing, Sophie Habboo and Kayleen Walters reportedly attended the world premiere of “A Minecraft Movie” at Cineworld Leicester Square in London on March 30, 2025.[5]

2. Oct 8, 2026

   Xbox announced formation of the XP division

   Xbox reportedly announced the creation of a new division called XP, which focuses on reaching fans beyond gameplay through film and television adaptations, consumer products, partnerships, and live experiences. The division formalizes four investment areas: Xbox Pictures, Xbox Products, Xbox Places, and Xbox Partnerships.[1]

3. Oct 8, 2026

   Kayleen Walters appointed as President of XP

   Kayleen Walters, the former president of Mojang, was reportedly appointed as the President of the new XP division. She will lead the organization's efforts in entertainment and franchise management, leveraging her experience from A Minecraft Movie and her previous role at Lucasfilm.[1]

4. Oct 8, 2026

   Maria Angelidou-Smith named to replace Walters at Mojang

   Maria Angelidou-Smith, former chief product officer at Reddit, was reportedly named to replace Kayleen Walters as the head of Mojang. Both Walters and Angelidou-Smith will report directly to Xbox head Asha Sharma.[1]

Our read of the evidence

Mostly unverified. The announcement of the XP division, the appointment of its leader, and the subsequent personnel change are each described only in reports from a single outlet, with no primary source confirmation cited. Consequently, the information remains unverified and rests solely on those reports. No further confirmation or opposing statements have been provided.

Our rating counts evidence, not opinions about anyone: events confirmed by a primary source (the person's own post, their official site, a court or government record) weigh most, then how many independent outlets report the story.

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