XBOX Game Studios leader Craig Duncan will reportedly depart the company this week after 18 months, according to a new report from The Game Business. The brand’s recently appointed Chief of Staff, Louise O’Connor, will also leave the company after serving less than one year in the role. The departures follow a joint public memo from XBOX CEO Asha Sharma and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty, released on June 10, suggesting looming layoffs and a sweeping brand “reset.”
All teams previously working under Duncan — Halo Studios, inXile Entertainment, Compulsion Games, Turn 10 Studios, The Coalition, Playground Games, Rare, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and more — will report to Booty until the brand names a replacement.
“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,” Duncan shared in a staff email. “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’m proud to say we delivered many flawless launches that drove business success for the company.”
“Louise has been a thoughtful, creative, and trusted partner who has consistently championed the craft and supported our studios with clarity and care. I’m grateful for everything she’s brought to XGS, and I’m sure she’ll be successful in whatever comes next for her.”
Duncan has worked in gaming for decades; before taking on the leadership role in late 2024, he spent nearly 14 years with XBOX subsidiary Rare Ltd. Prior to his work at Rare, Duncan held roles at Midway, Sumo Digital, and Codemasters. Louise O’Connor, also a Rare vet, spent more than 25 years with the brand before accepting the leadership position at XBOX. O’Connor left Rare following the cancellation of Everwild, a project she previously oversaw.
XBOX is expected to begin cuts following the company’s fiscal year-end on June 30. These aren’t the first cuts for the brand in recent years; this time last year, parent company Microsoft shut down several projects, closed a studio, and cut about 9,000 jobs company-wide.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
