Former Steam boss leaves Microsoft after just six months

When Jason Holtman joined Microsoft to work on the company’s Windows gaming strategy, it sounded like a match made in heaven. Microsoft was in the process of dismantling its oft-reviled Games for Windows Live program, and Holtman had just spent eight years turning Steam into a comparatively beloved platform for digital game sales. Apparently, it was not to be: after just six months, Holtman has left the company.

Jason Holtman has seemingly left Microsoft less than six months after he was hired to head up the company’s renewed PC gaming initiative. According to his LinkedIn page (via Neowin), Holtman left his position at Microsoft in January. Neither Microsoft nor Holtman himself have confirmed the departure. Holtman previously served as the Director of Business Development at Steam platform developer Valve, leaving his position during a round of layoffs last year. We’ve contacted Microsoft for confirmation of Holtman’s departure, and await a response.