Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan departs after 20 months

Craig Duncan is leaving the role of head of Xbox Game Studios, a little over a year-and-a-half into his tenure. Duncan revealed the move in a memo to staff across the company. “When I stepped into the role of leading [Xbox Games Studios] 20 months ago, my purpose was to serve our studios, our teams, and the people making our games,” he writes.

“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.” His time in the position was short but follows a much longer run within Microsoft's games division.

Duncan first joined the wider Xbox landscape in 2011, serving as studio head for Rare from February of that year until November of 2024. He is leaving alongside Louise O'Connor, a Rare veteran of more than 25 years who rose from animator in 1999 to director and executive producer and who became chief of staff at Xbox Game Studios in August 2025.

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