Xbox's first chief operating officer Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft after three months

In brief

• Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft after 21 years and about three months as Xbox's first chief operating officer.
• The role was created in July 2026 during a reset of Xbox that included planned job cuts of around 3,200 positions.
• Microsoft has not explained the departure, and an unconfirmed report claims she was dismissed for policy violations.

Departure after a short tenure

Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft, according to an internal Xbox memo that The Verge obtained (Xbox’s first chief operating officer is out after just a few months – The Verge). She had been in the job for roughly three months, having been promoted to the post in July 2026 (Wystarczyły 3 miesiące. Dyrektorka operacyjna Xboksa ustępuje ze stanowiska – IGN Polska). Before that, she spent years leading Minecraft and overseeing the Mojang studio.

Role created in a company reset

The position was created by Xbox chief executive Asha Sharma as part of what she called a reset of the division (Dyrektorka operacyjna Xbox Helen Chiang odchodzi z Microsoftu trzy miesiące po objęciu stanowiska – Notebookcheck.pl). The job was meant to coordinate games, hardware, platform and services, and to take part in investment decisions and financial results in those areas. The move came alongside a plan announced in July to cut about 3,200 jobs at Microsoft during the fiscal year 2027, with 1,600 positions eliminated immediately.

Company response

Sharma told staff in a short note that Chiang was leaving and thanked her for her years of service, without naming a successor. Her duties are being split among other Xbox leaders for now, and Sharma said more details on the role would follow once plans are finalised. Microsoft declined to explain the circumstances. A spokesperson said the company does not discuss individual personnel matters.

Unconfirmed reports

Gaming outlet Eurogamer has reported, citing a source it describes as verified, that Chiang was dismissed for policy violations. The report has not been independently confirmed, and Microsoft has not commented on it (Miała pomóc odbudować Xbox, już jej nie ma. W tle pojawiają się poważne zarzuty – PPE).