Microsoft is promoting Rare studio lead Craig Duncan to the head of Xbox Game Studios, following the retirement of Alan Hartman. The change of leadership comes less than a year after Hartman took on the head of Xbox Game Studios role after Matt Booty was promoted to an expanded president of game content and studios position.

Xbox Game Studios head Alan Hartman is set to retire in November, with Rare boss Craig Duncan lined up to take his place.

Xbox Game Studios will soon be led by Rare studio head Craig Duncan as current boss Alan Hartman is retiring in November. Microsoft president of game content and studios Matt Booty told staff in an email obtained by The Verge that Hartman,

Xbox Games Studios head Alan Hartman is stepping down from his post after more than three decades working at parent company Microsoft.

Xbox Game Studios has a new head as of today, with former Rare studio head Craig Duncan taking over the role - but who is he, anyhow?

Craig Duncan, the head of Microsoft studio Rare, will become the new head of Xbox Game Studios as current boss Alan Hartman retires. Duncan has been studio head at Rare since 2011, overseeing the likes of Sea of Thieves and multiple Kinect games.