Xbox chief operating officer Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft after 21 years, departing the role just three months after Resetting XBOX created it, CEO Asha Sharma said in an internal memo dated Oct. 23, 2026. <|cite|>IGN, Shacknews, Inven Global<|/cite|>
Resetting XBOX, a company-wide restructuring, created the COO position in July 2026. The job made its holder responsible for profits and losses across content, hardware, platform, and services. Chiang managed Xbox’s business and investment organization and reported directly to Sharma. <|cite|>IGN, Shacknews, Inven Global<|/cite|>
Before becoming COO, Chiang ran Minecraft’s studio for eight years and served as the franchise’s corporate vice president for more than six years. Her total time at Microsoft passed 21 years. <|cite|>Shacknews<|/cite|>
Sharma offered no explanation for Chiang’s abrupt exit, and Microsoft said it does not comment on individual personnel matters. Other Xbox leaders are dividing the departing executive’s COO duties for now. <|cite|>IGN, Inven Global<|/cite|>
Xbox’s restructuring plan calls for cutting roughly 3,200 roles during the 2027 financial year and moving four studios to new management. IGN reported that 3,200 total employees are expected to lose their positions at Xbox in 2026 in the continuing internal restructuring. <|cite|>IGN, Inven Global<|/cite|>
The studio behind Marvel’s Blade, Arkane Lyon, might close by mid-November unless a buyer emerges. Details of an Xbox handheld came out with a next-console pricing structure that could top $1,200 USD and included Xbox Cloud Gaming rates beginning at $3.99 USD for 10 hours. <|cite|>IGN, Shacknews<|/cite|>
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