Larry Hryb, widely known as “Major Nelson” in the Xbox community, announced his departure from Microsoft in a tweet today. Hryb had been a prominent figure as the Director of Programming for Xbox Live, serving as one of the public faces of the Xbox brand for many years. While he did not provide specific reasons for his departure, Hryb expressed his intention to step back and embark on the next chapter of his career. This announcement coincides with Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to finalize its acquisition of Activision for $68 billion.
Reflecting on his time with Microsoft, Hryb expressed gratitude towards the millions of gamers worldwide who considered him a part of their lives. Over the course of more than two decades, Hryb played various roles within Microsoft. He initially joined the company in 2001 as the editor-in-chief of MSN Music. However, it was in 2003 when he joined the Xbox division that he found his true identity within Microsoft. Hryb’s public presence encompassed a blend of official representation and passionate fan engagement. Through blog posts, podcasts, interviews, unboxings, and other updates, he straddled the line between a marketing executive and an avid gamer, providing fans with a relatable connection to the gaming giant.
Although Xbox has gradually reduced Hryb’s public presence in recent years, from the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s, “Major Nelson” became synonymous with the Xbox platform. Hryb revealed that his gamer handle and public nickname were derived from Larry Hagman’s character in the 1960s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie,” suggested by his TiVo recommendation.
Hryb has not yet disclosed specific details regarding his next career endeavor. However, he did mention that The Official Xbox Podcast, which he hosted, will take a summer hiatus and return in a new format later on.
