The Microsoft-Activision Blizzard acquisition continues to shake up leadership at Xbox. Alan Hartman, former leader of Turn 10 has been promoted as the new head of Xbox Game Studios.
Hartman announced his promotion on LinkedIn overnight Tuesday, and Twitter/X user Idle Sloth spotted the post on Wednesday afternoon.
“Thrilled to be representing such an elite set of game creators in my new role leading Xbox Game Studios!” Hartman wrote.
(FYI) Alan Hartman (Turn 10) has been promoted to the New Head of Xbox Game Studios
Announcement:https://t.co/S7i5TNCa8h
Source:https://t.co/ESynGHpn6A pic.twitter.com/s7QDUbDrKp
— Idle Sloth💙💛 (@IdleSloth84_) November 8, 2023
Hartman had been the head of Turn 10 since 2005, and spent the last two years as corporate vice president of Forza and Fable. During his time at the studio, he oversaw the release of games in the Forza series and the development of the ForzaTech engine, with Turn 10 shares with Forza Horizon developer Playground Games. That same engine is currently being used to develop the Fable reboot.
Hartman’s promotion to head of Xbox Game Studios comes nearly a month after Microsoft closed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, bringing the publisher’s entire game library into its fold, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Crash Bandicoot. He will succeed Matt Booty, who has been promoted to president of gaming content and studios, overseeing ZeniMax and Bethesda.
Other leadership changes at Xbox include Sarah Bond being promoted to president of Xbox, making her the first Black woman in Xbox’s 22-year history to hold the position; Joslyn Main as chief of staff at Xbox; and Ami Silverman as chief consumer sales officer at Microsoft. Bobby Kotick will remain CEO of Activision Blizzard until the end of 2023.
Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.