Xbox’s First-Ever COO Steps Down Just Three Months After Role Is Created

Helen Chiang, Xbox’s first-ever chief operating officer, has stepped down from the role just three months after it was created, according to CEO Asha Sharma in an internal memo released today.

The memo, verified by The Verge, included a brief statement from Sharma regarding Chiang’s departure. “Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft today. I’m grateful for her years of service and wish her well,” Sharma said. “We’ll share more on COO leadership as plans are finalized.”

Chiang had spent 21 years with Xbox. Previously, she oversaw the Minecraft franchise, before shifting roles to chief operating officer in July 2026.

Xbox and IKEA Furniture Collaboration Photos

The reasoning behind Chiang’s promotion and the duties of the COO were outlined in a statement from Sharma amid news of Xbox’s massive restructuring this summer. According to Sharma, the role was necessary to “work toward a shared goal, make the right tradeoffs, and get things done” as Xbox’s headcount grew and the company became “more fragmented.”

“For the first time, we are establishing a Chief Operating Officer with end-to-end P&L responsibility across content, hardware, platform, and services. Helen Chiang has been promoted to this role and will report directly to me,” Sharma said at the time.

“Over nearly two decades at Xbox, Helen has helped build some of our most important businesses, from Xbox Live to leading Mojang and the Minecraft franchise. She will bring our businesses together under one operating model, making sure we make clear investment decisions, learn from our successes and failures, and hold ourselves accountable for results.”

As noted by The Verge, the reason for Chiang’s brief tenure in this specific role has not yet been revealed, but it is certainly a striking move, given her 21 years with the company prior to this.

Xbox is expected to continue layoffs as part of its ongoing internal restructuring, with 3,200 total employees expected to lose their jobs this year. Several studios have been divested as a result of this rework, though some have managed to find their footing, as is the case with Double Fine.

Others, however, remain in limbo; Arkane Lyon, the studio currently working on Marvel’s Blade, faces closure as soon as mid-November if a buyer isn’t found. The studio was also impacted by the reshuffling at Microsoft, leaving both fans and industry insiders hoping the project finds a new home.

Marvel’s Blade Concept Art

Other companies in the games industry aren’t faring any better. Just this week, EA announced the closure of 30-year-old RPG powerhouse BioWare, known for making games like Dragon Age, Jade Empire, and Mass Effect. The next Mass Effect game was also canceled, prompting worldwide outcry from players and calls for a boycott.

A full-length trailer for the game was also leaked online, adding insult to injury thanks to just how fantastic it looked. And while fans are hoping EA either sells BioWare’s IP or hands it over to another studio, analysts say this isn’t likely. Well — at least the Prime Video series is still alive.

Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s 新闻 Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.