BREAKING: Peter Moore leaves Microsoft for EA
- July 17, 2007 14:23 PM PST
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Microsoft announced on Tuesday that Peter Moore has officially resigned as the president of its Xbox business. The Briton will be replaced by Don Mattrick, a former EA executive.
Incoming Xbox head Don Mattrick
Effective July 30, Moore will move with his family back to the Bay Area for "personal reasons" in addition to securing another opportunity in the video games industry. Said opportunity is rumored to be the new head of EA Sports.
The incoming head of Xbox and Microsoft's game division was most recently the president of EA's Worldwide Studios, until his resignation in February 2006. In February 2007, Mattrick began working as an external adviser to Microsoft.
"Peter has contributed enormously to the games business since joining Microsoft in 2003 and we are sad to see him go," said Robbie Bach, president of Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. "Since that time, he presided over the global launch of the Xbox 360, spearheaded a revitalized and rebranded Games for Windows business, and helped steer the console's ascent."
Even Sony had nice things to say about outgoing Moore. "We wish Peter the best of luck in his new role at Electronic Arts and look forward to working with him. We have an outstanding relationship with EA and their sports products have been incredibly successful on all our platforms. I am sure this will continue with Peter now at the helm," said PlayStation president Jack Tretton in a statement.
Moore will remain with Microsoft through August to help with the transition.
"While Peter will certainly be missed, we are delighted to have one of the industry's most talented and passionate veterans on board to lead the business," Bach added in a statement. "Under Don's leadership, the games team is looking forward to embarking on our biggest holiday ever, with a wide-ranging roster of some of the most highly anticipated titles."
Mattrick brings 23 years of games industry experience to the Microsoft management team. He is credited for helping to promote "Need for Speed," "Harry Potter" and "The Sims" while at EA.
While the release says "resigned," one can only wonder if Moore may have been forced out due to the recent $1 billion warranty gaffe. Not that Peter did a bad job, but why would someone leave a company that's doing well? Regardless, Moore will be missed, though it seems like we can expect to see him pimping EA games across all platforms now.
