{"id":1991379,"date":"2026-06-15T15:07:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T12:07:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1991379"},"modified":"2026-06-15T15:07:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T12:07:31","slug":"microsofts-xbox-game-studios-boss-steps-down-after-less-than-two-years-amid-major-changes-for-the-platform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1991379","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft&#8217;s Xbox Game Studios boss steps down after less than two years, amid major changes for the platform"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article \" data-ads=\"true\" data-article-type=\"news\" data-article-group=\"news\" data-paywalled=\"false\" data-premium=\"false\" data-sponsored=\"false\" data-type=\"article\">\n<header class=\"article_header\" data-component=\"article-header\">\n<div class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n<nav class=\"nav_breadcrumbs\" data-component=\"nav-breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\n<ul class=\"nav-links\">\n<li>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/\" data-active=\"false\"><br \/>\n                      Home<br \/>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<li>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/news\" data-active=\"false\"><br \/>\n                      News<br \/>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n<div class=\"headline_details\" id=\"main-content\">\n<h1 class=\"title\">Microsoft&#8217;s Xbox Game Studios boss steps down after less than two years, amid major changes for the platform<\/h1>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Xbox Game Studios chief of staff also departing.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"headline_asset\">\n<figure class=\"headline_image_wrapper\">\n<p>        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"headline_image\" src=\"https:\/\/assetsio.gnwcdn.com\/Craig-Duncan-stands-in-front-of-Rare&apos;s-logo.png?width=570&amp;quality=85&amp;format=jpg&amp;dpr=3&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Craig Duncan stands in front of Rare&apos;s logo\" loading=\"eager\" data-uri=\"Craig-Duncan-stands-in-front-of-Rare&apos;s-logo.png\" data-lightbox width=\"570\" height=\"328\"><figcaption>\n          <span class=\"attribution\">Image credit: <cite>Rare<\/cite><\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"metadata\">\n<div class=\"avatar\">\n<p>    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Victoria Phillips Kennedy avatar\" src=\"https:\/\/assetsio.gnwcdn.com\/1644925423.jpg?width=2048&amp;height=2048&amp;fit=bounds&amp;quality=85&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1\" width=\"180\" height=\"179\"><\/p>\n<p>  <img alt=\"Victoria Phillips Kennedy avatar\" data-autosize=\"crop_lossy\" data-uri=\"1644925423.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1\" width=\"180\" height=\"179\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\n                  <span class=\"article_type\" data-slug=\"news\"><br \/>\n                    News<br \/>\n                  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"by\">by<\/span> <span class=\"author\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/authors\/victoria-kennedy\">Victoria Phillips Kennedy<\/a><\/span>                    <span class=\"job_title\"><br \/>\n                      News Reporter<br \/>\n                    <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n<div class=\"published_at\">\nPublished on <time datetime=\"2026-06-15T15:07:31+00:00\">June 15, 2026<\/time>              <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article_body\" data-component=\"article-content\">\n<div class=\"article_body_content article-styling\">\n<p>Craig Duncan has stepped down from his role as head of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/companies\/xbox-game-studios\">Xbox Game Studios<\/a> after less than two years. He will be departing the company this week.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/rare-boss-craig-duncan-becomes-new-head-of-xbox-game-studios\">Duncan took over the role in 2024<\/a>, following his predecessor Alan Hartman&#8217;s retirement. Prior to this, he was the head of Microsoft studio Rare &#8211; a position he had held since 2011 &#8211; during which time he oversaw <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/games\/sea-of-thieves\">Sea of Thieves<\/a> and multiple Kinect games.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"video_wrapper youtube\">\n<a aria-label=\"Sea of Thieves - Official 2026 Edition Launch Trailer\" class=\"video-facade full-size\" data-platform=\"youtube\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eC42PYUuKdc?autoplay=1\" title=\"Click to play video from YouTube\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cover image for YouTube video\" class=\"video-facade__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/eC42PYUuKdc\/hqdefault.jpg\"><span class=\"video-facade__title\">Sea of Thieves &#8211; Official 2026 Edition Launch Trailer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div><figcaption>Sea of Thieves &#8211; Official 2026 Edition Launch Trailer. <a class=\"video\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=eC42PYUuKdc\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the role of Xbox Game Studios boss, Duncan oversaw teams including Halo Studios, The Coalition, Turn 10, Playground Games, Rare, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, The Initiative, Double Fine, InXile, Undead Labs, World\u2019s Edge and XGS Publishing.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegamebusiness.com\/p\/xbox-game-studios-boss-craig-duncan\">The Game Business<\/a> reports that until a replacement for Duncan is found, the studios under his control will answer to Matt Booty, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/today-marks-an-exciting-new-chapter-xbox-boss-phil-spencer-retiring-amid-major-leadership-shakeup-that-sees-microsofts-coreai-president-taking-over-roll\">who was made Xbox&#8217;s chief content officer<\/a> amid a major leadership shake-up in February.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to Duncan&#8217;s departure, fellow Rare alum and Xbox Game Studios&#8217; current chief of staff Louise O&#8217;Connor is also leaving the company. &#8220;When I stepped into the role of leading XGS 20 months ago, my purpose was to serve our studios, our teams, and the people making our games,&#8221; Duncan wrote in an email to staff. &#8220;Together, we set out to deliver high-quality games, strengthen the cultural fabric across our studios, and help shape the future of the business. I\u2019m proud to say we delivered many flawless launches that drove business success for the company.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"injection_placeholder\" data-position=\"1\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>His email also addressed O&#8217;Connor&#8217;s departure. &#8220;Louise has been a thoughtful, creative, and trusted partner who has consistently championed the craft and supported our studios with clarity and care,&#8221; Duncan said. &#8220;I&#8217;m grateful for everything she&#8217;s brought to XGS, and I&#8217;m sure she&#8217;ll be successful in whatever comes next for her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Craig Duncan stands in front of Rare&apos;s logo\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/assetsio.gnwcdn.com\/image_eeuPMxH.jpg?width=2048&amp;height=2048&amp;fit=bounds&amp;quality=85&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1.7685950413223142\" width=\"856\"><\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Craig Duncan stands in front of Rare&apos;s logo\" data-autosize=\"crop_lossy\" data-lightbox data-uri=\"image_eeuPMxH.jpg\" height=\"484\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1.7685950413223142\" width=\"856\"><figcaption><span class=\"attribution\">Image credit: <cite>Rare<\/cite><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Duncan&#8217;s departure comes during a time of immense change at Xbox. In February, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/today-marks-an-exciting-new-chapter-xbox-boss-phil-spencer-retiring-amid-major-leadership-shakeup-that-sees-microsofts-coreai-president-taking-over-roll\">Asha Sharma took over as head of Xbox from Phil Spencer<\/a> in a move that also saw the departure of Xbox president Sarah Bond. Since then, Sharma has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/xbox-drops-game-pass-prices-call-of-duty-exits-day-one\">made changes to Xbox&#8217;s Game Pass model<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/microsoft-confirms-new-xbox-boss-scrapped-controversial-ad-campaign\">scrapped the controversial &#8220;This is an Xbox&#8221; campaign<\/a>, and started pointing attention to the next generation of Xbox hardware, Project Helix, which she has promised <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/xbox-boss-says-microsofts-next-gen-console-project-helix-can-play-both-your-xbox-and-pc-games-and-will-lead-in-performance\">will &#8220;lead in performance&#8221;<\/a> whenever it eventually emerges.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/xbox-layoffs-business-reset\">reported Xbox has been slashing budgets and preparing to lay off a &#8220;significant&#8221; number of staff<\/a> as part of Sharma&#8217;s new business &#8220;reset&#8221; for the brand.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"preferred-source\" data-component=\"preferred-source\">\nLove Eurogamer.net? Make us a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\">Preferred Source on Google<\/a> and catch more of our coverage in your feeds.  <\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"article_body\" data-component=\"article-content\">\n<div class=\"article_body_content article-styling\">\n<p>Craig Duncan has stepped down from his role as head of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/companies\/xbox-game-studios\">Xbox Game Studios<\/a> after less than two years. He will be departing the company this week.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/rare-boss-craig-duncan-becomes-new-head-of-xbox-game-studios\">Duncan took over the role in 2024<\/a>, following his predecessor Alan Hartman&#8217;s retirement. Prior to this, he was the head of Microsoft studio Rare &#8211; a position he had held since 2011 &#8211; during which time he oversaw <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/games\/sea-of-thieves\">Sea of Thieves<\/a> and multiple Kinect games.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div class=\"video_wrapper youtube\">\n<a aria-label=\"Sea of Thieves - Official 2026 Edition Launch Trailer\" class=\"video-facade full-size\" data-platform=\"youtube\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eC42PYUuKdc?autoplay=1\" title=\"Click to play video from YouTube\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cover image for YouTube video\" class=\"video-facade__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/eC42PYUuKdc\/hqdefault.jpg\"><span class=\"video-facade__title\">Sea of Thieves &#8211; Official 2026 Edition Launch Trailer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div><figcaption>Sea of Thieves &#8211; Official 2026 Edition Launch Trailer. <a class=\"video\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=eC42PYUuKdc\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Watch on YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the role of Xbox Game Studios boss, Duncan oversaw teams including Halo Studios, The Coalition, Turn 10, Playground Games, Rare, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, The Initiative, Double Fine, InXile, Undead Labs, World\u2019s Edge and XGS Publishing.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegamebusiness.com\/p\/xbox-game-studios-boss-craig-duncan\">The Game Business<\/a> reports that until a replacement for Duncan is found, the studios under his control will answer to Matt Booty, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/today-marks-an-exciting-new-chapter-xbox-boss-phil-spencer-retiring-amid-major-leadership-shakeup-that-sees-microsofts-coreai-president-taking-over-roll\">who was made Xbox&#8217;s chief content officer<\/a> amid a major leadership shake-up in February.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to Duncan&#8217;s departure, fellow Rare alum and Xbox Game Studios&#8217; current chief of staff Louise O&#8217;Connor is also leaving the company. &#8220;When I stepped into the role of leading XGS 20 months ago, my purpose was to serve our studios, our teams, and the people making our games,&#8221; Duncan wrote in an email to staff. &#8220;Together, we set out to deliver high-quality games, strengthen the cultural fabric across our studios, and help shape the future of the business. I\u2019m proud to say we delivered many flawless launches that drove business success for the company.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"injection_placeholder\" data-position=\"1\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>His email also addressed O&#8217;Connor&#8217;s departure. &#8220;Louise has been a thoughtful, creative, and trusted partner who has consistently championed the craft and supported our studios with clarity and care,&#8221; Duncan said. &#8220;I&#8217;m grateful for everything she&#8217;s brought to XGS, and I&#8217;m sure she&#8217;ll be successful in whatever comes next for her.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Craig Duncan stands in front of Rare&apos;s logo\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/assetsio.gnwcdn.com\/image_eeuPMxH.jpg?width=2048&amp;height=2048&amp;fit=bounds&amp;quality=85&amp;format=jpg&amp;auto=webp\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1.7685950413223142\" width=\"856\"><\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Craig Duncan stands in front of Rare&apos;s logo\" data-autosize=\"crop_lossy\" data-lightbox data-uri=\"image_eeuPMxH.jpg\" height=\"484\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1.7685950413223142\" width=\"856\"><figcaption><span class=\"attribution\">Image credit: <cite>Rare<\/cite><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Duncan&#8217;s departure comes during a time of immense change at Xbox. In February, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/today-marks-an-exciting-new-chapter-xbox-boss-phil-spencer-retiring-amid-major-leadership-shakeup-that-sees-microsofts-coreai-president-taking-over-roll\">Asha Sharma took over as head of Xbox from Phil Spencer<\/a> in a move that also saw the departure of Xbox president Sarah Bond. Since then, Sharma has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/xbox-drops-game-pass-prices-call-of-duty-exits-day-one\">made changes to Xbox&#8217;s Game Pass model<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/microsoft-confirms-new-xbox-boss-scrapped-controversial-ad-campaign\">scrapped the controversial &#8220;This is an Xbox&#8221; campaign<\/a>, and started pointing attention to the next generation of Xbox hardware, Project Helix, which she has promised <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/xbox-boss-says-microsofts-next-gen-console-project-helix-can-play-both-your-xbox-and-pc-games-and-will-lead-in-performance\">will &#8220;lead in performance&#8221;<\/a> whenever it eventually emerges.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/xbox-layoffs-business-reset\">reported Xbox has been slashing budgets and preparing to lay off a &#8220;significant&#8221; number of staff<\/a> as part of Sharma&#8217;s new business &#8220;reset&#8221; for the brand.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home News Microsoft&#8217;s Xbox Game Studios boss steps down after less than two years, amid major changes for the platform Xbox Game Studios chief of staff also departing. Image credit: Rare News by Victoria Phillips Kennedy News Reporter Published on June 15, 2026 Craig Duncan has stepped down from his role as head of Xbox [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,253],"class_list":["post-1991379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-eurogamer-net"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1991379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1991379"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1991379\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1991379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1991379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1991379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}