Xbox CVP Kareem Choudhry Set To Leave Microsoft After 26 Years

Image: Xbox

After spending over 26 years at Microsoft, Xbox CVP Kareem Choudhry is reportedly leaving Microsoft today. His departure is said to be taking place amidst a "large Xbox shake-up to accelerate growth plans".

In his time at Xbox, Choudhry played a crucial role in spearheading the backwards compatibility program for Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, as well as the Xbox Cloud Gaming service. Most recently, he's been leading the Xbox Emerging Technologies team for Xbox, which is described to be "exploring and advancing Gaming AI".

Although it might read like an inharmonious departure, there's apparently no "doom" or "gloom" involved in the exit:

Windows Central says that the Gaming AI division at Xbox is now being moved into the "general Xbox hardware org[anisation]", which is currently led by fellow CVP Roanne Sones. An internal memo reportedly mentioned that this move will help to "accelerate innovation in that space".

As for what else is happening inside Xbox, a new organisation has apparently been set up to "polish the overall Xbox experience across Windows and Xbox consoles", Catherine Gluckstein (who played a key role in the acquisition of Activision Blizzard) is now leading the Xbox Strategy and Regulatory team, and there are reports that Jason Ronald (the guy with the epic beard!) may no longer be leading the Xbox hardware team, although he remains as a Tech Advisor.

Getting back to Kareem Choudhry though, we wish this Xbox veteran all the best in his future career!