Larry “Major Nelson” Harib is leaving Microsoft after 22 years

Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb, one of the Xbox team’s most popular attendees, has announced his departure from Microsoft after 22 years.

Hreib has been with Microsoft since early 2001, initially serving as editor-in-chief for MSN Music before joining the company’s Xbox division two years later. As a Senior Product Manager for Xbox, Hryb has been focused on helping shape the Xbox Live community experience — he sees himself as a key contributor to features like the Xbox achievement system and group chat — and will become Senior Director of Corporate Communications in 2012.

Over the years, Major Nelson—a name derived from Hryb’s Gamertag—has been an Xbox figurehead, relaying Xbox-Live-related information to the community and has a prominent presence on various community-focused blogs, live streams, podcasts, and shows.

Now, though, Hryb is off to new pastures. He wrote: “After twenty incredible years.” on Twitter“I’ve decided to take a step back and work on the next chapter of my career.”

Hreib continued: “As I take a moment and reflect on all we’ve done together, I want to thank the millions of gamers around the world who have included me as part of their lives. Also, thanks to the Xbox team members for trusting me in a live conversation with our customers. The future is bright for Xbox, and as a gamer, I am Excited to see the evolution.”

Following today’s announcement, several industry notables including Blizzard’s Mike Ybarra and impending industry presence Geoff Keighley have praised Hryb’s contribution to Xbox. “Thank you, Larry, for everything you’ve done to make Xbox what it is today,” Ybarra Tweet. “An incredible influence, always a positive attitude, and a pleasure to work with.”

Meanwhile, Keighley, books , “Thank you for everything you’ve done over all these decades for our industry – I still fondly remember hosting many Xbox releases with you.”

Hreib has yet to share details of what might be his next professional project after his departure from Microsoft, but he does He says Will take time out to spend time with my family (not really!) and enjoy my Seattle summer. As many of you know, I haven’t really taken a vacation…so I’m going to take this opportunity now.