Kudo Tsunoda given greater control of Xbox development teams

Microsoft has confirmed a promotion for Kinect and Hololens creator Kudo Tsunoda.

The company says Tsunoda will expand his charter on the Xbox leadership team” but has fallen short of saying that he has stepped up to fill the role that is widely presumed to have been vacated by Phil Harrison, although his departure has not yet been confirmed.

While the Halo, Gears of War, Forza and Minecraft franchises will continue to report to Phil Spencer, Kudo will lead the vision and experience development of our other Microsoft Studios portfolio investments in the United States, Europe and across our global publishing team,” Microsoft said.

Kudo has been driving the creative direction and experience development for Microsoft HoloLens, and will bring a fresh, innovative and gamer-centric approach to development for our expanding and diverse game portfolio across Xbox and Windows 10 devices including HoloLens.”

Tsunoda will now lead a host of recognisable studios such as Lionhead and Rare and will also be overseeing the development of titles such as Quantum Break, Crackdown and Scaelbound.

There have been a few other changes, too, with Rod Fergusson promoted to head of Black Tusk Studios, which is working on the next Gears of War game. Lionhead studio boss John Needham, meanwhile is heading to Washington to work on Xbox and Hololens development. Phil Spencer remains as Xbox boss.