Xbox FanFest Coordinator Let Go Just Three Months After Event’s Return

Earlier this year, Microsoft revived Xbox FanFest in LA for its summer 2026 gaming showcase. However, the company recently laid off Chris Munson, the visionary behind the event. Munson joined Microsoft in 2010 as part of the Halo marketing team, and after nearly 16 years, he was among the 1,600 employees affected by the latest round of layoffs.

“After 15 1/2 years, I was affected by the layoffs at Xbox today. End of an era,” Munson shared on LinkedIn on July 6. “From Halo to State of Decay, to new IP, to Xbox FanFest, to Sports Partnerships and all the activations that delivered billions of impressions, engagement, and revenue. But this isn’t the end of my goals to continue creating value for fans, sports, gaming, and culture, as I have for the last two decades. While I take some time to reflect and recharge, I’m eager to be part of something even bigger.”

“Here to discuss the tsunami of fun that fans can expect is Chris Munson, or as he’s known online, the Xbox FanFest guy,” was how he was introduced on a 2018 episode of Inside Xbox. The event kicked off in 2015 to connect Xbox players with experiences like the company’s E3 press briefings and Gamescom hands-on sessions. At that time, the Xbox One was in its second year, and Microsoft aimed to engage directly with consumers, allowing fans to interact with key figures like Major Nelson and Phil Spencer.

This year marked a significant return for the live event, coinciding with the 25th anniversary celebration of Xbox and Halo. “In my first month, I heard clearly that our community values Xbox FanFest,” new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced in March. “As part of the return of Xbox, we made the decision to bring it back to LA to recognize the players who’ve been with us over the years.”

A standout moment this year was the live audience at the company’s June showcase receiving a free 25th anniversary translucent green Xbox Series X. Just a month later, however, hundreds within Xbox faced layoffs. The rest of Xbox FanFest 2026 is still on the horizon, with events scheduled around the world throughout the summer and fall.