Major Nelson is stepping down from Xbox after more than 20 years

Hryb's departure is occurring alongside another significant transition for Microsoft as it attempts to finalize its merger with Activision Blizzard.

The only hurdle that remains is the CMA, who has since agreed to a still-to-be-determined compromise. At the moment, Sony has already inked a deal with Microsoft to bring Call of Duty to the PlayStation platform, presumably for the remaining lifecycle of the PlayStation 5 and, quite possibly, the PlayStation 6.

The effects of this acquisition will not be felt until many years from now, and it's a shame Hryb will no longer be directly responsible for what goes on behind the scenes and in front of the camera.

Hryb has yet to confirm what his plans are post-Xbox. For now, he's taking some time off to spend time with his family and enjoy the Seattle summer. Hryb mentioned that he is "working on a few projects," leaving fans curious to find out what his next venture will be and when it will be announced.

Unfortunately, Hryb's departure comes amidst an ongoing restructuring at Microsoft, which started in January. At the time, CEO Satya Nadella announced workforce reductions by about 5 percent by Q3 this year. Hryb's resignation follows a notice posted by Microsoft indicating the layoff of 276 workers, affecting customer service, support, and sales.

Despite these changes, the Microsoft and wider gaming community continue to celebrate Hryb's career and contributions. Tributes poured in from fans and colleagues alike, including from Xbox boss Phil Spencer and even the official PlayStation account, underscoring the broad impact of Hryb's work.

As Hryb steps away, his legacy at Xbox is an indelible one. His authentic dialogue with gamers, his contribution to building features that enhanced the Xbox experience, and his general dedication to the Xbox brand have left an enduring impact.

Speaking of Xbox, fans are still wondering whether or not Microsoft will make the other big Activision Blizzard franchises exclusive to the Xbox platform. But, it's clear that Blizzard isn't open to bringing Diablo to the Game Pass soon, despite the earlier claims made by Phil Spencer.