Microsoft's Xbox Live policy director resigning

Xbox Live's policy and enforcement director Stephen "Stepto" Toulouse, who has worked at Microsoft for nearly 18 years, announced that he's resigning from the company in two weeks to explore other opportunities. Toulouse often served as the public face for Xbox Live matters, and managed complaints and user bannings/suspensions on the Xbox 360 online service. He described his position as "[making] the Xbox Live experience a consistent, safe, and enjoyable one." Prior to joining the Xbox Live team in 2007, Toulouse worked at Microsoft's Security Response Center, handling public relations for security issues with the company's Windows operating system. He also wrote a book about his time at the corporation titled A Microsoft Life. Toulouse doesn't have another job lined up, and explained his departure by saying he feels "too strangely comfortable, and too strangely tied." He noted that he turns 40 this year -- having joined the company at 21 -- and Microsoft is "the only world [he's] really ever known." "My reasons for leaving are complex and personal, but the parting could not be more amicable," he said in a farewell letter sent to co-workers. "I continue to believe this place makes great technology, and I am absolutely thrilled for the future of Xbox and Xbox Live." Toulouse said he's working with Microsoft's management to ensure an orderly transition when he leaves on February 15. The company is not currently sharing who will take over the policy and enforcement director position, according to a report from consumer site Joystiq.