Don Coyner (shown above wearing the orange and blue shirt) helped create and refine the Xbox experience as we know it today. Having worked for the last decade solely as brand and design leadership for the Xbox at Microsoft, it comes as a bit of a shock to hear that Coyner is being replaced. According to CNET, Don Coyner will no longer be in charge of the Xbox brand, and taking his place will be Emma Williams. As the person credited with guiding the new Xbox Live redesign, Willams seems like a good fit to usher in the new Xbox. With the next console rumored to be revealed within the next two years, Williams will play a major role in the creation of the next era of Xboxes.

Microsoft declined comment on the change, saying, “"We don't comment on personnel issues.” Though Coyner has seemingly moved on from this position, he’s still with the company. What his new role is isn’t quite clear, but Coyner’s laundry list of contributions to the modern gaming landscape will likely serve him well in whatever new role Microsoft has planned for him. Whether or not this move is going to be a good thing for the future console remains to be seen. Perhaps Microsoft just wanted a fresh perspective on the next few years of console development. No matter what the reason, Coyner’s contributions to the Xbox, and gaming in general, will likely not be forgotten.

SOURCE: Microsoft replaces veteran Xbox design boss [CNET]