Larry Hryb, widely known as Major Nelson in the Xbox gaming community, has announced his departure from Microsoft after a 22-year tenure with the company.
Hryb initially joined Microsoft in 2001 as the editor-in-chief for MSN Music. Two years later, he transitioned to the Xbox division, quickly becoming one of the public faces of the growing console brand. He played a significant role in Xbox’s achievement system and the development of the console’s party chat system, which have since become industry standards.
After 20 incredible years, I have decided to take a step back and work on the next chapter of my career. As I take a moment and think about all we have done together, I want to thank the millions of gamers around the world who have included me as part of their lives. (1/3)
— Larry Hryb ?? (@majornelson) July 14, 2023
While Major Nelson gained prominence during the Xbox 360 era, he continued to be one of the most recognizable figures in the gaming industry. Colleagues and industry peers, including Geoff Keighley, expressed their appreciation for his contributions to the industry.
It is unclear whether Hryb’s departure is related to the recent employee reduction at Microsoft, which aimed to reduce the company’s headcount by 10,000 employees. Microsoft recently notified 276 workers across various teams, including customer service, sales, and support.
Hryb has not disclosed his future plans but mentioned his intention to take some time off to spend with his family and enjoy the summer in Seattle.
