Xbox COO Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft after 21 years

Helen Chiang, Xbox chief operating officer and former head of Minecraft, is leaving Microsoft. Asha Sharma, head of the gaming division, announced the departure in an internal company memo.

Microsoft has not disclosed why Chiang is leaving. The company also has not said who will take over her role on a permanent basis.

Chiang spent 21 years at Microsoft. Before she became Xbox chief operating officer in July, she led the Minecraft team and oversaw the development of one of the company’s biggest gaming franchises.

Chiang’s direct responsibilities will be temporarily divided among other Xbox leaders. According to Sharma, the company will share more details about leadership of the operations side once it finalizes its next steps.