The start of 2022 has been a busy time for Microsoft as the company has hit the ground running coming into the new year. Closing out a year that saw the gaming juggernaut celebrate the 20th anniversary of its flagship console, Microsoft announced last month that the Xbox creators had acquired Activision Blizzard, bringing iconic gaming franchises like Warcraft and Overwatch under the Microsoft umbrella. Now, in a time that sees significant change within the tech giant, Microsoft will be saying goodbye to a long-time face of the company’s gaming division.
Over the 29 years Shannon Loftis worked as a part of Microsoft, she was involved with many of the company’s biggest franchises, most recently serving as the head of Age of Empires developer World’s Edge. Throughout her history with the company, Loftis was a part of the development for some of Xbox’s most iconic games including Fable and Viva Piñata, even serving as Microsoft’s head of first-party publishing. Recently, through a message on the Age of Empires website, Loftis officially announced her retirement after nearly three decades with Microsoft.
Loftis left a heartfelt goodbye on the Age of Empires website, announcing her decision to retire citing a desire to spend more time with her family and on her hobbies, including games. The Microsoft executive referenced her long-time desire to leave Microsoft at a high point and remarked how she felt that “there has been no higher point than this,” likely acknowledging both the Activision Blizzard purchase and Xbox’s massively successful 2021. Loftis also announced that Age of Empires 4 executive producer Michael Mann would succeed her as acting studio head for World’s Edge.
Loftis’ years of contribution to Microsoft as a whole have also been recognized by several of Microsoft’s biggest names following the announcement on Monday. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer referred to working with the longtime executive as “one of the most rewarding and insightful parts” of the iconic Microsoft CEO’s career. Xbox Games Marketing General Manager Aaron Greenberg praised Loftis’ “approach to building teams,” lauding her attitude towards both her team members and her partners.
Microsoft’s early 2022 has been highlighted not only by the massive Activision Blizzard acquisition but also by the wide array of high-profile games the developer has set for later in the year. From more niche titles arriving soon like free-to-play FPS CrossfireX and snowboarding game Shredders early in the year to the highly-anticipated debut of Bethesda’s newest IP in Starfield set to arrive later in November, Microsoft and Xbox will look to maintain their strong momentum moving further into 2022.
