Xbox's first chief operating officer Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft just three months into the job

UPDATE 6.00pm (UK): In a formal statement, Xbox told Eurogamer: "We don't discuss individual personnel matters. We're grateful for Helen's years of service and wish her well". Read more

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  1. Departure context and official communication: Helen Chiang, a 21-year veteran of Microsoft and former head of Minecraft, stepped down from her role as the first-ever Xbox COO on October 23, 2026. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed the exit via internal memo, noting that leadership duties would be shared among other executives, though the company officially declined to comment further on specific personnel matters.
  2. Conflicting internal reports regarding the exit: While Microsoft maintains a neutral stance, reports from anonymous sources familiar with the situation have alleged that Chiang’s departure was due to 'policy violations.' However, Eurogamer has noted that these claims have not been independently verified, creating a discrepancy between the company's formal 'grateful for service' messaging and external speculation.

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