Kayleen Walters Takes Helm at Mojang Studios

Microsoft Gaming has announced the appointment of Kayleen Walters as the new head of Mojang Studios, the developer behind the globally acclaimed game Minecraft. Walters, who currently serves as Vice President and Head of Franchise Development at Microsoft Gaming, will assume her new role immediately, following the departure of Åsa Bredin.

Bredin, who joined Mojang in 2021 and became its head two years later, has stepped down to focus on personal goals outside of work. In an internal memo, Helen Chiang, Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Game Content and Studios, expressed gratitude for Bredin’s contributions, stating, “Åsa has been a vital part of our team, and I am deeply grateful for the positive impact and contributions she has made since joining in 2021.”

Walters will lead Mojang Studios while continuing her responsibilities in franchise development at Microsoft Gaming. She will collaborate closely with Mojang’s global leadership team, including Amy Stillion, who is taking on an expanded role as Chief of Staff. Stillion will support both games and content studios’ operations, as well as Mojang Studios specifically.

Federico San Martin will now manage day-to-day franchise development operations, reporting directly to Walters. This restructuring aims to streamline leadership and maintain momentum within the studio.

Helen Chiang addressed the transition in her memo, acknowledging the challenges that come with change but expressing confidence in the team’s ability to continue delivering exceptional experiences for players and the community. She stated, “With strong leadership in place and a clear vision for the future, we are well-positioned to tackle the challenges we face in the marketplace with speed and momentum.”

Walters, who joined Microsoft in 2018 after serving as a Vice President at Lucasfilm, has been instrumental in managing franchise development and has previously been involved with Minecraft’s branding and entertainment divisions. Her appointment comes as Mojang Studios continues to expand the Minecraft universe, with a Warner Bros.-produced “Minecraft” movie slated for release in April.