Asha Sharma

Xbox's first chief operating officer, Helen Chiang, has left Microsoft after a brief tenure that began in July. The 21‑year veteran, who previously led the Minecraft division, was promoted to the new role in a move that aimed to streamline operations across the gaming division. CEO Asha Sharma announced the departure in a short internal memo, thanking Chiang for her service. With Chiang’s exit, her day‑to‑day duties are being redistributed among existing Xbox leaders, including the chief strategy officer and the head of product. The reshuffle follows a rapid creation of the COO position, suggesting a reevaluation of executive structure within Xbox. The company will now rely on its senior team to maintain continuity while it considers the next step for the role.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has outlined plans for additional layoffs this month, in November, and in January, according to Fortune. The move follows a July announcement that Microsoft would cut 3,200 Xbox employees during its 2027 fiscal year, including 1,600 staff in July and about 260 in September. Sharma’s restructuring also saw Double Fine and Compulsion Games spun off as independent studios, while the Senua developer Ninja Theory faces potential closure. Industry observers note speculation that Xbox could be spun off or sold, with Microsoft’s commercial leadership, including Judson Althoff, weighing in on the future of the division.

In a first town‑hall since recent layoffs, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined a plan to stabilize the company’s gaming unit. The strategy prioritises traditional console players while simultaneously advancing next‑generation hardware. Xbox will boost player engagement by investing heavily in first‑party titles and enhancing current‑generation features. Internally, a new console platform—codenamed Xbox Helix—is under development to deliver a richer user experience. The announcement signals Xbox’s commitment to rebuild its workforce and product pipeline, aiming to regain market confidence and sustain long‑term growth in a competitive gaming landscape.

During a company all‑hands meeting, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that Microsoft has secured exclusive streaming rights for Grand Theft Auto VI. The agreement means that only Xbox Cloud Gaming will be able to stream the game to players at launch, while Rockstar Games has yet to announce a PC version. The duration of the exclusivity is unclear, but the deal gives Xbox a unique selling point for its cloud gaming service and could influence how the title is marketed and accessed by the broader gaming community.