Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan Steps Down Alongside Chief of Staff
Craig Duncan and Louise O’Connor leave Xbox Game Studios in a major leadership shakeup. Matt Booty takes over direct studio oversight until a replacement is set.
Key Takeaways
- Double Executive Departure: Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan and Chief of Staff Louise O’Connor are both stepping down from their roles this week.
- Immediate Leadership Shift: No direct replacement for Duncan has been named; all first-party Xbox studios will now report directly to Chief Content Officer Matt Booty.
- Deep History with Rare: Both departing executives are long-time Xbox veterans who originally rose through the ranks at UK-based developer Rare.
In the midst of major studio closures and looming anxiety about further shutdowns, another bomb just went off over at Xbox. Two senior executives have stepped down from their roles including Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan and Chief of Staff Louise O’Connor.
A Major Shakeup at the Top of Xbox Game Studios
Xbox continues to dominate the headlines, and unfortunately, this latest development isn’t any better than the earlier studio closure news. As reported by The Game Business, Xbox Game Studios Head Craig Duncan is stepping down from the role he has held for over 18 months, since taking the reins in November 2024.
During his tenure, he oversaw a massive portfolio of first-party talent which include Halo Studios, The Coalition, Flight Sim, Turn 10, Playground Games, Rare, Obsidian, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, The Initiative, Double Fine, InXile, Undead Labs, World’s Edge, and XGS Publishing.
Following his departure, which is reportedly set to take place this week, those studios will begin reporting directly to Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty. The move marks a return to familiar territory for Booty, who previously served as Head of Xbox Game Studios from 2018 until 2023 before moving into his current role.
At the time of writing, a replacement for Duncan has not been named. The position has seen several notable figures occupy it over the years including Alan Hartman from 2023 to 2024, while Phil Spencer held the role from 2014 until 2018.
Duncan’s history with Xbox goes back much further than his time as Xbox Game Studios Head. He first joined the Xbox family in 2011 when he became part of Rare, eventually rising through the ranks and becoming one of the company’s most prominent studio leaders.
Xbox Game Studios boss Craig Duncan steps down after 15 years at the company. Chief of staff Louise O’Connor also set to depart. https://t.co/AfnjRpJsQm pic.twitter.com/eD3FZ3Umg1
— The Game Business (@thegamebusiness) June 15, 2026
Duncan is not the only senior figure heading for the exit. According to the same report, Xbox Game Studios Chief of Staff Louise O’Connor is also leaving the company.
Like Duncan, O’Connor has deep roots within Xbox. She joined Rare in 1999 and spent decades with the studio before departing following the cancellation of Everwild in 2025. She later moved into the Chief of Staff position during the fall of last year.
As of writing, no official reason has been provided for either departure. Given how senior both positions are, we could expect an official statement from Microsoft in the coming days.
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Sending some gaming news your way from a surfing paradise island. Loves creating content, and researching informative facts and useless trivia. A novice in the gaming industry but a veteran in communications and publication.
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