Craig Duncan has stepped down from his role as head of Xbox Game Studios<\/a> after less than two years. He will be departing the company this week.<\/p>\n Duncan took over the role in 2024<\/a>, following his predecessor Alan Hartman’s retirement. Prior to this, he was the head of Microsoft studio Rare – a position he had held since 2011 – during which time he oversaw Sea of Thieves<\/a> and multiple Kinect games.<\/p>\n In the role of Xbox Game Studios boss, Duncan oversaw teams including Halo Studios, The Coalition, Turn 10, Playground Games, Rare, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, The Initiative, Double Fine, InXile, Undead Labs, World\u2019s Edge and XGS Publishing.<\/p>\n The Game Business<\/a> reports that until a replacement for Duncan is found, the studios under his control will answer to Matt Booty, who was made Xbox’s chief content officer<\/a> amid a major leadership shake-up in February.<\/p>\n In addition to Duncan’s departure, fellow Rare alum and Xbox Game Studios’ current chief of staff Louise O’Connor is also leaving the company. “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 wrote in an email to staff. “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\u2019m proud to say we delivered many flawless launches that drove business success for the company.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His email also addressed O’Connor’s departure. “Louise has been a thoughtful, creative, and trusted partner who has consistently championed the craft and supported our studios with clarity and care,” Duncan said. “I’m grateful for everything she’s brought to XGS, and I’m sure she’ll be successful in whatever comes next for her.”<\/p>\n