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# The new Xbox COO lasted just three months
- URL: https://www.verticalslice.news/the-new-xbox-coo-lasted-just-12-weeks/
- Published: 2026-10-26T11:06:31.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T11:09:55.000Z
- Description: Former Minecraft boss Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft in mysterious circumstances shortly after being appointed COO of Xbox.
- Author: Chris Kerr
- Tags: News, Xbox

Xbox chief operating officer Helen Chiang is exiting the role after three monthswe. 

It's a swift in-and-out for Chiang, who was [appointed in July](https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/07/06/resetting-xbox/?ref=verticalslice.news) by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to bring the video game division together under a single operating model. "\[Helen will make\] sure we make clear investment decisions, learn from our successes and failures, and hold ourselves accountable for results," said Sharma in July.

Over the weekend, Chiang's departure was confirmed in an internal memo penned by Sharma ([viewed by The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/news/1018037/xbox-chief-operating-officer-helen-chiang-departure?ref=verticalslice.news)). "Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft today. I’m grateful for her years of service and wish her well," she wrote. "We’ll share more on COO leadership as plans are finalized."

Microsoft has refused to officially comment on the circumstances of Chiang's departure. A company spokesperson told The Verge it does not discuss "individual personnel matters." Eurogamer, however, is reporting that Chiang was fired for "[policy violations](https://www.eurogamer.net/xbox-coo-helen-chiang-leaves-microsoft?ref=verticalslice.news)." 

Chiang worked at Microsoft for over two decades in numerous roles. Before being named COO, she served as corporate vice president of the Minecraft franchise. 

The news comes during a [period of massive upheaval at Xbox](https://www.verticalslice.news/a-disaster-for-developers-charting-the-rapid-erosion-of-xbox-game-studios/). In July, Sharma announced plans to cut 3,200 jobs before the end of the current fiscal year and divest notable studios including Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory and Arkane. 

Under Sharma, Xbox has also detailed plans to [open a new transmedia division](https://www.verticalslice.news/xbox-opens-new-transmedia-division-xp-without-revealing-a-single-new-project/) called 'XP' and start experimenting with 'new technologies' that [sound an awful lot like generative AI tools](https://www.verticalslice.news/after-taking-plaudits-for-killing-copilot-on-consoles-xbox-launches-new-division-to-tinker-with-mysterious-new-technologies/).