Xbox Game Studios Enlists Rare’s Craig Duncan as New Boss

Xbox Game Studios has found a new boss in Rare studio head Craig Duncan. Current boss Alan Hartman is set to step down in November, thereafter Duncan will take his place in the company. As reported by The Verge, Microsoft president of game content and studios Matt Booty told staff in a recent email that Hartman, who was previously the head of Forza Motorsport studio Turn 10, will be leaving at the end of next month.

“[Duncan] will continue to focus on helping our studios deliver high-quality, differentiated game experiences that can grow into successful franchises and reach more players by investing in new IP,” said Booty in the email. Meanwhile, Joe Neate and Jim Horth will replace Craig Duncan as the co-leaders of Rare going forward.

Hartman posted a message on his LinkedIn about his journey at Microsoft for nearly three decades, announcing his retirement:

“I was able to take a lifelong love of playing games and make it a career. From Age of Empires to Forza Motorsport I’ve been lucky to put my fingerprints across many games through the decades – leading the Forza franchise through all 13 releases and building two fantastic studios along the way.”

“I have so much anticipation and confidence in what all of our studios are creating and I am excited by what these teams will accomplish with Craig Duncan as the new head of Xbox Game Studios,” Hartman added.

Microsoft has been making headlines lately, though for nothing as positive as a leadership shake-up. The company recently had to clarify rumours that it would stop selling consoles in Saudi Arabia. A Microsoft spokeperson addressed the rumour, stating that it had no intention of stopping the sale of Xbox hardware in the country. A research initiative at Xbox also asked developers why they avoid the Xbox platform when it comes to new game releases.

Source: IGN