Xbox leadership gets a shake-up in 2026 — current CFO Tim Stuart transitions to COO of ZeniMax Media

Some leadership changes are coming to Xbox in the new year. Tim Stuart, currently the chief financial officer (CFO) of Microsoft Gaming, will become the chief operating officer (COO) of ZeniMax Media, the publisher of popular games like DOOM, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. Xavier Pokorzynsk, currently a corporate vice president at Microsoft Gaming, will take over as the new CFO of Microsoft Gaming. These changes are scheduled to take effect in January 2026.
This news follows a mixed year for Xbox and Microsoft Gaming. The company released several highly-rated and successful games, including a remastered version of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. However, they also faced layoffs, cancelled projects, and significant price increases.
Earlier this year, reports indicated that Microsoft is pushing Xbox to achieve a high 30% profit margin, which is above the typical standard for the gaming industry. In October, Xbox Game Pass saw some new features added, but also a 50% price increase for its highest subscription tier.
Microsoft has also raised the price of Xbox consoles in the U.S. twice this year, bringing the cost of an Xbox Series X from $500 in 2020 to $650 now. These increases are partially attributed to rising production costs and tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on components sourced from various countries.








