Helen Chiang, Xbox’s first-ever chief operating officer, has abdicated the role just three months after it was created, as told by CEO Asha Sharma in an internal memo today.
The memo, verified by The Verge, included a brief statement from Sharma regarding Chiang’s exit. “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 been with Xbox for an astonishing 21 years. Previously, she was in charge of the Minecraft franchise, and shifted roles to chief operating officer in July 2026.
The reason for Chiang’s promotion and the job duties of the COO were outlined in a statement by 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 divulged, but it’s certainly a striking move, given her 21 years with the company prior to this.
Xbox is predicted 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 that’s 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 biting their nails in hope that the project finds a new home.
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, rubbing more salt in the wound thanks to just how fantastic it looked. And while fans are crossing their fingers that EA either sells BioWare’s IP or hands them over to another studio, analysts say this isn’t likely. Oh, well — at least the Prime Video series is still alive.