Asha Sharma Announces Departure of Xbox COO Helen Chiang After Just 3 Months in Role

Helen Chiang, a veteran Microsoft executive who led the Minecraft team before becoming Xbox's Chief Operating Officer (COO), has left the company after 21 years. The Verge obtained a copy of an internal memo sent by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announcing Chiang's departure.

Which notes that her job responsibilities will be broken up between other Xbox leaders until a new COO is appointed.

Chiang's departure comes as Xbox continues to navigate a significant restructuring effort, which was announced by Sharma in July 2026. The plan, dubbed an "Xbox reset," aims to transform the brand and cut costs. While hundreds of jobs have already been lost, Xbox has pledged to reduce its workforce by 3,200 by the end of the 2027 fiscal year.

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Chiang's role as COO was a key part of Sharma's broader plans for the brand. The position was created as part of a major overhaul of Xbox's leadership structure. Screen Rant, a popular gaming publication, had reported on the creation of the COO role, citing sources close to the matter.

Chiang's departure also raises questions about the future of the Minecraft franchise, which she led before becoming COO. SFX, a leading entertainment publication, had reported that Chiang's departure was a result of the Xbox reset, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Game Revolution, a well-known gaming media outlet, had also reported on the Xbox reset. They noted that it was a major shake-up of the company's leadership structure. The publication cited sources who said that the reset was intended to position Xbox for long-term success.

Chiang's departure marks a significant shift in the company's leadership. And it remains to be seen how the Xbox reset will play out. ASU, a leading institution for gaming studies, had published research on the impact of the Xbox reset on the gaming industry, citing experts who said that the move was a major gamble.

Meanwhile, Netflix, which had been negotiating a lucrative film and TV deal with Xbox, has announced that it will undertake a three-phase restructuring process, spanning the next decade. The first wave of layoffs is expected to commence soon, according to Fortune.

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MMORPG, a leading online gaming publication, had reported on the Netflix restructuring, noting that the company was facing significant financial challenges. The publication cited sources who said that the Netflix reset was a major response to the company's struggles.

Ashley Stevens, Staff Writer at Game Revolution, had written extensively on the Xbox reset, citing sources who said that the move was a major overhaul of the company's leadership structure.

One thing is certain, however: the departure of Helen Chiang marks a significant shift in the company's leadership.