Former Xbox COO Helen Chiang has addressed her sudden departure from Microsoft, disputing reports by Eurogamer and The Verge that she was dismissed for “policy violations.” Chiang, who took on the COO role in July, said in a LinkedIn post that speculation had created a picture of her that she barely recognized.
Chiang did not explain why she left. She denied sharing confidential information with the press, saying her only contact with journalists had been through limited interviews authorized by Microsoft as part of her job.
She also rejected suggestions that she left to join an Xbox competitor. Chiang described herself as deeply loyal to the people, teams and business she had helped build during more than two decades at Microsoft. Her work included Xbox Live and leadership roles at Minecraft and Mojang.
Chiang further denied involvement in discrimination, bullying, harassment, insider trading, misappropriation of funds or other fraudulent activity. She said she was proud of both her professional results and how she had treated people, and objected to her departure being reduced to what she called an inaccurate story about incompetence, ambition or scandal.
Former Microsoft gaming executive Shannon Loftis expressed support for Chiang and criticized the handling of leaks about the alleged policy violation. Microsoft told Windows Central that it does not discuss individual employee matters.
Chiang’s departure comes as Xbox undergoes restructuring. The report says the company plans to cut 3,200 jobs by the end of fiscal year 2027. Microsoft has also offered voluntary departures to 60,000 employees as it invests in AI. In an internal message, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma thanked Chiang for her years of service and said the division would share more about the COO leadership role once plans were finalized.
Sources: Canaltech.