Further to recent rumours, it's been confirmed that Microsoft onetime wunderkid J Allard (pictured) is leaving the company.
He was senior vice president of design and development for the entertainment and devices division, but during his tenure wrote the email that famously got Bill Gates interested the internet, as well as running the Xbox business - particularly during Xbox Live and Xbox 360 - and having his hands on Zune and Project Courier.
He'll remain as an advisor to CEO Steve Ballmer, "helping incubation efforts, looking at design and UI, and providing a cross-company perspective on these and similar topics".
Two to go
Also leaving the company is the president of E&D Robbie Bach, who after 22 years at Microsoft is retiring in the autumn.
Stepping up to fill the gap will be interactive entertainment business boss Don Mattrick, and mobile communications business boss Andy Lees, who will report directly to Ballmer.
"Andy has led the Mobile Communications Business since February 2008, and has been instrumental in reinvigorating our mobility efforts, bringing in new business and development talent and overseeing the creation of both KIN and Windows Phone 7," Ballmer said in an email to Microsoft employees.
[source: CrunchGear]
News
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
Related Articles
News
Apr 12th, 2024
Week in Views - Mobile gets blanked at the BAFTAs, Apple goes retro and Nintendo pulls the plug
News
Apr 10th, 2024
Microsoft saves the day: Activision Blizzard games are set to return to China in new NetEase deal
Top Stories
News
May 4th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Views E10 - Brawl Stars smashes 2023 revenue, Square Enix’s extraordinary losses, and Haaland signs for Clash of Clans
News
May 3rd, 2024
Week in Views - Apple back themselves bigstyle, Clash bags Haaland and dreams come true at King
News
May 3rd, 2024
Week in Views - Apple back themselves bigstyle, Clash bags Haaland and dreams come true at King
News
May 3rd, 2024
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
Events
LA Games Conference 2024 | North America | May 6th |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Develop: Brighton 2024 | Europe | Jul 9th |