Xbox Game Studios Head Departs Amid Reported Layoffs and Changes
Craig Duncan, the head of Xbox Game Studios, is leaving the company after 15 years at Microsoft, and so is his chief of staff.
Craig Duncan, the head of Xbox Game Studios, is leaving the company after 15 years at Microsoft, and so is his chief of staff.
Craig Duncan, the head of Xbox Game Studios, is stepping down after a 15-year tenure at Microsoft, alongside his chief of staff. This move precedes potential layoffs and studio closures at Xbox, as Asha Sharma, the Xbox CEO, aims to 'reset' the Xbox business. Duncan, who previously led Rare, the studio behind Sea of Thieves, took on the role of Head of Xbox Game Studios in November 2024, succeeding Matt Booty, who transitioned to the role of executive vice president and chief content officer at Xbox.
Prior to his time at Xbox, Duncan held roles at Codemasters and Midway Games before joining Sumo Digital and eventually returning to Rare in 2011. His departure coincided with a LinkedIn post expressing his enthusiasm for the future of Xbox Game Studios. Louise O'Connor, the chief of staff at Xbox Game Studios, is also departing after a significant tenure at Rare, where she held various roles before becoming chief of staff in August 2025.
In a memo to staff, Duncan highlighted the successful launches during his tenure, emphasizing O'Connor's support for the studios. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently acknowledged Xbox's challenges, stressing the need to make Xbox a sustainable business. Additionally, reports suggest Microsoft might separate Xbox from the company and expedite the development of upcoming Halo and Fallout titles.
