The Xbox Game Studios landscape is experiencing another leadership shakeup. Just over a year after Matt Booty ascended to the position of Xbox President of Game Content and Studios, following the historic Microsoft-Activision merger, Xbox Game Studios has a new leader. Alan Hartmann, formerly the head of Forza developer Turn 10, stepped into the role of Xbox Game Studios head after Booty’s promotion. But Hartmann’s tenure will be short-lived, as he is retiring at the end of November. His replacement? None other than Craig Duncan, the current head of the iconic developer Rare, known for franchises like Sea of Thieves and Banjo-Kazooie.
This change in leadership is a significant one for Xbox Game Studios, which is responsible for developing and publishing some of the biggest and most popular titles in the gaming industry. The studio’s roster includes heavy-hitters like Bethesda Game Studios (creators of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout), 343 Industries (responsible for the Halo franchise), and Obsidian Entertainment (makers of the Fallout: New Vegas and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II).
Duncan’s experience leading Rare, a studio known for its innovative and creative games, will likely prove valuable in his new role. His success with Sea of Thieves, a live-service pirate game, is particularly notable, demonstrating his ability to oversee a successful online game. It will be interesting to see what direction Duncan takes Xbox Game Studios in the coming years, particularly in light of the growing competition in the gaming industry. Microsoft is investing heavily in its gaming division, and the success of Xbox Game Studios is critical to the company’s overall gaming strategy.