Peter Moore, head of Microsoft's Xbox 360 division resigns for a post at EA. Former EA executive Don Mattrick has been named to head Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business.
After the controversy surrounding Robbie Bach's stock sales, another surprising announcement has sprung up from camp Microsoft. This time, Peter Moore, the Microsoft executive who led the successful launch of the second-generation Xbox 360 game console, is leaving Microsoft for game publisher Electronic Arts (EA). In his place, Microsoft named Don Mattrick (another EA executive) as senior vice president of its Interactive Entertainment Business.
Now, this might come as a surprise to some. Afterall, Moore was the person who brought Microsoft's Xbox 360 to the #1 spot in this next-generation console wars. Could it be that he was leaving because the future looks bleak for Microsoft?
But that's what not Microsoft wants us to think. "Peter Moore is leaving for personal reasons", Microsoft said this Tuesday. Microsoft insisted that Moore's departure was unrelated to recent troubles with the Xbox 360. Yeah, sure. Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division President Robbie Bach said that the personnel change was not a strategy to bring in new leadership after the hardware-failure disclosures.
Well, we will just have to wait and see what Don Mattrick has in store for us. If there is one thing that I learned, it is that change is good - I just hope that it holds true for Microsoft.
Bio Data about Don Mattrick (Source Microsoft)
Age: 43
Prior experience: Wrote his first game at 17. Founded Distinctive Software in 1982, which merged with Electronic Arts in 1991. Served most recently as president of EA's worldwide game studios until resigning in February 2006. Took most of 2006 off to take a break after 23 years and spend time with family.
At Microsoft: Hired in February as an outside adviser to Robbie Bach's Entertainment and Devices Division to help with the "connected entertainment" strategy. Beginning July 30, he will be senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business, which includes Xbox, Games for Windows and Microsoft Game Studios. He called it "the best job in the industry."
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