Xbox head of research exits 20-year career at Microsoft

metro.co.uk:

Chris Novak has been with Xbox since 2002 but has decided to depart and won’t be immediately joining a new company.

As of April 19, the head of research and design at Xbox, Chris Novak, is no longer a part of Microsoft. This marks the end of an almost 20-year career with the company, with Novak deciding to take some time to himself and try new things.

Since 2016, Novak worked on improving the user experience across Microsoft’s gaming platforms, including the Xbox consoles, Windows on PC, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Live, and the xCloud streaming platform.

‘I started at Xbox in November of 2002, so after nearly 20 years I know this news can either come as a surprise, or as expected. It’s a mix of both!’ says Novak.

He makes it clear that there’s no bad blood between him and Microsoft, adding ‘I have loved my time with Xbox. Building end-to-end experiences for gamers is a privilege. There are very few things one gets to work on in life which evoke such passion in people around the world. I adore listening to gamers and envisioning that next moment of unexpected delight. Gaming is amazing. Xbox will always be with me.

‘I will always root for Xbox,’ he continues. ‘For user-centred process, and most importantly for the voices of countless gamers around the world looking for ways to connect to one another and the games they love. They are who we really work for!’

His announcement can be found on hisLinkedIn page, where he explains that he won’t be going straight into working at another company. Instead, he intends on taking a period of rest, something he promised himself at least three years ago.

Novak provided a bit more detail in an interview with Polygon, saying ‘I’m just about to be 20 years with Xbox. For me, some of the things that