Microsoft CEO Asha Sharma has confirmed in an internal email that Helen Chiang, Xbox's first Chief Operating Officer, left the company today. She held this newly created position for only a few months, and further arrangements regarding her departure will be announced separately.
Microsoft did not specify the exact reason for Chiang's departure, stating only that the company does not discuss individual personnel matters and thanking her for her contributions over the years. Eurogamer later cited a source claiming that Chiang was fired for "policy violations," but this claim has not been corroborated by other independent sources.
Chiang joined Microsoft in 2005 and gradually moved into the Xbox management system starting in 2007. Since 2014, she has been involved with Minecraft, driving its expansion into consoles, mobile devices, educational services, merchandise, films, and other cross-media areas.
Chiang has long been regarded as one of Xbox's senior executives. Her departure also means that the newly established COO role at Xbox has seen personnel changes in quick succession. Microsoft has not yet announced any follow-up plans for the position.