As part of the major reboot of the Xbox division, we’ve also got major leadership changes, as both its head, Chris Duncan, and Chief of Staff, Louise O’Connor, are leaving the division, according to a report from The Game Business. Duncan is a longtime Rare veteran who took over Xbox Game Studios in late 2024, stepping down just 20 months in.
In an email to staff, Duncab reflected on his tenure and highlighted several flawless launches and improvements across the first-party team. Ducan’s departure is effective this week, and until a new leader is found, all of Xbox Game Studios will report to Xbox’s Chief Content Officer Matt Boodty. Booty was the previous leader of Xbox Game Studios before being elevated when Asha Sharma became Xbox CEO.
It’s been a turbulent time in the Xbox division amid what the Xbox CEO is calling a 100-day “reset” of the business, signaling major structural changes ahead. Reports suggest that additional layoffs are coming next month as Microsoft decides what to do with the division, whether that means just structural changes or a full spin-off.
