Albert Penello, a former planning director at Microsoft who labored on the OG Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One, has handed away from most cancers. The incident occurred on December 31, 2025, and Penelo is survived by his spouse and daughter.
Since then, varied trade figures have expressed their condolences, together with former Main Nelson and Xbox Dwell programming director Larry Frybe. “Albert was a pillar of the gaming world at Microsoft and Amazon, a wonderful and trusted voice in our trade, a loyal buddy, and most significantly, a deeply cherished husband and father to his spouse Dara and daughter Lily.”
Former Xbox president Peter Moore additionally commented on Penelo’s demise, calling Penelo a “true legend” and “the final word optimist, at all times energetic and prepared to tackle any undertaking given to him (keep in mind HD DVD?). He will probably be tremendously missed and can depart an enormous gap within the coronary heart of the Xbox household.”
Former Blizzard Leisure President Mike Ybarra additionally praised Penelo, calling him “a sort man, a person of sharing, and an unbelievable ardour for the interest all of us love: gaming. His power and dedication are second to none. His affect on Xbox is outstanding. He at all times strives to get the precise solutions, to argue, and to place the gamers first.”
Since leaving Microsoft in 2018, Penello labored at Amazon Internet Providers. Apparently, nonetheless, sources who spoke to Home windows Central revealed that he has been serving as a marketing consultant for Xbox’s next-gen {hardware} for the previous few months, demonstrating his dedication to the model he helped form.
Penelo additionally Mighty Orbot Deluxe determine primarily based on the 1984 manga. He based Machine Dream Toys and trademarked a collection of Mighty Orbot Deluxe Mixed 12-inch Figures, wherein 5 Orbots mix to kind the determine of the title. This ardour undertaking was born because of Penelo’s interest of gathering 80’s robotic figures.
There are at the moment eight days left on the Kickstarter, with $61,673 of the $95,000 purpose pledged. Regardless of Penelo’s passing, the remaining group is “working tougher than ever to make this occur.”