Development veteran Louise O’Connor has embarked on a new chapter in her illustrious career, stepping into the role of chief of staff at Xbox Game Studios. This transition, which took place in August, was confirmed through her LinkedIn profile and reported by VGC.
Driving Collaboration and Innovation
In her new capacity, O’Connor aims to enhance connection, collaboration, and momentum across Xbox Game Studios. She expressed her enthusiasm for continuing her passion for game development, stating her commitment to supporting some of the most iconic gaming studios, leaders, and teams in the industry.
O’Connor’s journey to this pivotal role is marked by a remarkable 25-year tenure at Rare, where she began as an animator in 1999. Over the years, she ascended through the ranks, ultimately serving as art director, incubation director, and executive producer. Her most recent endeavor involved leading the development of the new intellectual property, Everwild. However, this project was ultimately shelved amid a significant restructuring at Microsoft, which saw over 9,000 employees affected by layoffs, project cancellations, and studio closures.
As O’Connor steps into her new role at Xbox Game Studios, the gaming community watches with anticipation, eager to see how her extensive experience and leadership will shape the future of gaming under her guidance.
