Helen Chiang, who was appointed as Xbox's first chief operating officer (COO) in July, is leaving Microsoft. Her departure comes just three months after taking on the role, as confirmed by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma in an internal memo.
Sharma stated, "Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft today. I'm grateful for her years of service and wish her well." No specific reasons for Chiang's exit were provided, nor were details on how her responsibilities will be reassigned, though it is expected they will be distributed among other Xbox executives. Chiang had been with Microsoft for 21 years, previously heading the Minecraft division.
The COO role was established by Sharma in July as part of a significant restructuring within Xbox, aimed at unifying efforts and improving execution. This organizational shift coincided with approximately 3200 layoffs and the departure of four studios.
Following this restructuring, several studios under the Xbox umbrella have been set on a new path. Double Fine, the developer of Psychonauts, Undead Labs, known for State of Decay, and Compulsion Games, creators of South of Midnight, are transitioning to operate independently after negotiations. Ninja Theory, the studio behind Hellblade, is reportedly facing closure after acquisition deals failed to materialize. Arkane Lyon, the studio responsible for Dishonored and Deathloop, is reportedly in a critical period and must secure a buyer by November.