UPDATE at 6:00 p.m. (UK): In an official statement, Xbox told Eurogamer: “We do not discuss individual personnel matters. We are grateful for Helen’s years of service and wish her well.”
A verified source close to the situation separately told Eurogamer that Helen Chiang was allegedly “fired for violating policy.” Eurogamer has not been able to independently verify this claim.
The original story follows.
ORIGINAL STORY 2:00 p.m. BST: Helen Chiang, Xbox’s first-ever chief operating officer (COO), is leaving Microsoft just three months after taking the role.
According to The Verge, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed Chiang’s departure in an internal memo released on October 23.
“Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft today. I am grateful for her years of service and wish her well,” Sharma wrote.
Sharma provided no details on why Chiang – who had been at Microsoft for 21 years and previously led Minecraft – was leaving the company, adding only: “we will share more on the COO’s leadership as plans are finalized.” It is believed his duties will be shared among other Xbox executives.
Sharma created the role in July as part of Xbox’s massive “reset”, saying it was necessary to “work towards a common goal, make the right compromises and get things done.” It also came with 3,200 layoffs and four studio departures in the “largest” Xbox restructuring in history.
Microsoft has revealed that Psychonauts developer Double Fine, State of Decay studio Undead Labs and South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games will become independent following negotiations, while Hellblade developer Ninja Theory is now likely to close after two acquisition deals fell through.
Arkane Lyon – the beloved immersive simulation studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop – is the one still in limbo, and yesterday we learned that it will only have until November to find a buyer.
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