Microsoft Announces New Heads of Xbox Team

Last Thursday, the leader of Microsoft’s Xbox team, Don Mattrick, said he was leaving the company after 6 years in the position. It was announced today that two long-time Mircosoft employees will fill the void left by Mattrick.

Julie Larson-Green, previously head of Windows engineering, will now lead a new division called Devices and Studios Engineering group, which will oversee all of the company’s hardware. Larson-Green will be the new face of the Xbox. Even though she’s been with the company for 19 years, Larson-Green’s only real experience with hardware is the underperforming Surface tablet.

Working alongside her is the former head of the Windows Phone team, Terry Myerson. Myerson is now in-charge of the Operating Systems Engineering Group, which will focus on operating systems for Microsoft’s products. As such, he’ll oversee the development of the Xbox One’s operating system.

Mattrick had been the public face of Microsoft for years and his experience with gaming was a boon to Microsoft in the previous generation. However, neither Larson-Green or Myerson have his level of expertise, and with the Xbox One’s already controversial development, it should be interesting for gamers to see how this new team will impact the console’s future.