Major Nelson, also known as Larry Hryb, has decided to embark on a new journey after dedicating 20 years of service to Xbox. Throughout his time at the company, Major Nelson played a significant role in the marketing department and garnered a devoted fan base for his work.
Major Nelson's involvement in Xbox's marketing endeavors dates back to the inception of the original Xbox. He was among the pioneers who first promoted Xbox Live, while also being instrumental in showcasing the capabilities of the Xbox 360 through the introduction of the Achievement system, party chat, and cloud saves. In 2012, Hryb ascended to the position of senior director of corporate communications for Xbox, ultimately leading him to host the Official Xbox Podcast. Through this platform, he shared his profound insights and knowledge about the company with the global audience. Interestingly, his nickname and Xbox Gamertag, Major Nelson, draw inspiration from the iconic 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.
Larry Hryb, known as Major Nelson, recently announced on Twitter that he will be leaving the company after serving for two decades. In a thoughtful series of tweets, he expressed his gratitude for his time at the company and thanked the fans for their support. It is evident from his words that there is no animosity between Hryb and his former employer. Hryb's contributions were not only admired by Xbox fans but also by his peers in the industry, as he was known for building friendships even with those in competing companies. As an example, he shared a moment when he had Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime sign his DS. Following Hryb's announcement, prominent figures in the video game industry, such as Geoff Keighley and Phil Spencer, have expressed their appreciation for him.
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Similar to how Bill Gates represents Microsoft, Major Nelson is considered the prominent figure of Xbox for many individuals. Hryb refrained from explicitly stating his future endeavors after leaving Xbox, but he did mention his intention to take a break with his family and relish the Seattle Summer. Additionally, he revealed that the Official Xbox Podcast, which he will no longer host, will temporarily pause and return in a fresh format.