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Home I wish I could quit you updates

Confirmed: Peter Moore leaving Microsoft, replaced by Don Mattrick

4:13 PM on 07.17.2007, Jim Sterling 42 comments

Confirmed: Peter Moore leaving Microsoft, replaced by Don Mattrick photo
     I wish I could quit you
You've doubtless all heard the rumors by now, but we at Destructoid like to wait until we have something tangible before we mash our hands on the keyboards in an attempt to be first with news. That confirmation is now out, with an official press release confirming that Peter Moore has resigned as the head of Microsoft's Xbox and Games Business, in order to move his family back to the Bay area and pursue 'another opportunity in the games industry'. Moore will be heading to Electronic Arts, probably because he likes Boogie.

Peter Moore was, in my opinion, the most charismatic, open and likeable of all the big three's main players. He shot from the hip with statements that weren't perhaps always mature, but seemed to come from a straight talker. Even though it could have just been a lot of spin, I have to confess that I really was quite partial to the guy and I think it's a shame that he's left The 'Soft, especially during this time of success for the Xbox 360.

His replacement is Don Mattrick, who formerly worked for Electronic Arts before becoming an advisor to Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division. A 23-year veteran of the games industry, Mattrick has high hopes for the company's future success. "I'm thrilled to join an already strong team that's delivering truly amazing gaming experiences to customers around the world. I've never been more excited about the future of the industry, and firmly believe Microsoft will lead the next great innovations in gaming," Mattrick stated, not that he'd say he thought the company's due to bomb any time soon.

I will miss Peter. He looked like a Cheshire Cat. Now all we have is Kaz 'resembles a Tekken character' Hirai and Reggie Beefburger Flesh.

[Ed note: Hey lads, Linde here -- we got our hands on Microsoft's press release for Mr. Moore's departure, so be sure to hit that jump for all the official-speek we've got to offer.] 

Peter Moore Resigns From Microsoft to Return to Northern California

Don Mattrick appointed to head Microsoft’s Xbox and Games Business.


REDMOND, Wash. — July 17, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Don Mattrick, a former president at Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), will lead the Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB), which includes overseeing the Xbox® and Games for Windows® businesses. Peter Moore, who currently serves as corporate vice president of IEB, has decided to move his family back to the Bay Area for personal reasons and has secured another opportunity in the video games industry.

Mattrick will take over as the senior vice president of IEB at Microsoft, effective July 30. Mattrick was the founder of Distinctive Software Inc., which operated as a private company from 1982 until its merger with EA in 1991. Mattrick held various senior positions within EA, most recently as president of Worldwide Studios, until his resignation in February 2006. In February 2007, Mattrick began working with the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft as an external advisor.

“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.”

Moore has decided to return with his family to Northern California, where they lived until he took the position at Microsoft. Moore will remain at Microsoft to assist in the transition through August and will then return to the San Francisco Bay area.

“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 said. “Don is well-known and respected throughout the industry for his deep knowledge, technical expertise and management savvy. 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 and development experience to the strong Microsoft management team, having helped bring to life such celebrated game franchises as the “Need for Speed,” “Harry Potter” and “The Sims” while at EA.

“Over the past two decades, and the past few months in particular, I’ve worked closely with many of Microsoft’s top leaders and I’ve always been impressed by their talent, passion and commitment,” said Mattrick. “I’m thrilled to join an already strong team that’s delivering truly amazing gaming experiences to customers around the world. I’ve never been more excited about the future of the industry, and firmly believe Microsoft will lead the next great innovations in gaming.”

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Next page: More Press release stories




BluDesign's Avatar
BluDesign at 07/17/2007 16:16
I wonder if those tats of his can be reworked into something EA-ish when the next E3 rolls around.
Zero Iscariot's Avatar
Zero Iscariot at 07/17/2007 16:17
And nobody saw this coming when Don Mattrick (former President of EA) stepped in as an "advisor" earlier in the year?

Madden special edition Xbox 360 confirmed. NOW WITH MOORE FRAMES PER SECOND!
atheistium's Avatar
atheistium at 07/17/2007 16:22
holy shit O_o
Aaron Linde's Avatar
Aaron Linde at 07/17/2007 16:23
Peter Moore is a hell of a guy. Industry icons that are truly iconic are few and far between, but Moore stood head and shoulders among his peers and did a heck of a job. Swell dude, too.
Brass's Avatar
Brass at 07/17/2007 16:24
What about those tattoos...
DJDuffy 's Avatar
DJDuffy at 07/17/2007 16:24
but EA Sports is in Vancouver...why are you not my new neighbour Peter Moore?! He hates me, doesn't he?
Gameboi's Avatar
Gameboi at 07/17/2007 16:26
Whoah.... This one took me by surprise. Sad to see Peter Moore leave, that's for sure.
BluFire's Avatar
BluFire at 07/17/2007 16:26
I lol'd just a little bit at the first sentence. Sorry.
demonelite's Avatar
demonelite at 07/17/2007 16:26
I will miss Peter Moore, I will always remember him for Rock Star at E3....and the GTA VI tattoo....and the Halo 2 tattoo....
Topher Cantler's Avatar
Topher Cantler at 07/17/2007 16:27
I loved Peter Moore and I thought he was doing a fantastic job. He must have some serious stuff going on to leave now, with things going so well for MS lately. I hope everything's ok with him.
kawitchate's Avatar
kawitchate at 07/17/2007 16:27
that picture... is priceless.

especially coming from a brit.
Topher Cantler's Avatar
Topher Cantler at 07/17/2007 16:27
And who the fuck is Don Hat trick?
robotplague's Avatar
robotplague at 07/17/2007 16:27
I was just telling a friend the other day how much I enjoy reading Moore's interviews. He's one hell of a spinner, but I'll be damned if I didn't admire the guy for his speaking capabilities. He seemed like a swell dude.
elrechazao's Avatar
elrechazao at 07/17/2007 16:28
I liked the little shot at other sites...I guess posting unconfirmed shit about MGS for example is more "reputable" than posting an all-but-confirmed by press release departure of Peter Moore. I love your site, stop pretending you have some mythical credibility that you don't have.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 07/17/2007 16:30
I hope his position at EA won't keep him behind the scenes and honestly, I would really like to meet the guy.
jerrt's Avatar
jerrt at 07/17/2007 16:38
now we know why he lashed out at sony's japanese busines model just a little bit ago. he's leaving microsoft. [:

i'm still a little scared by this. and yes i'll keep saying it untill my fears are confirmed or proven wrong.
gitrooman's Avatar
gitrooman at 07/17/2007 16:39
".....we at Destructoid like to wait until we have something tangible before we mash our hands on the keyboards in an attempt to be first with news."

When did this happen?..oh right, when robert 'homo' summa left



Zanch's Avatar
Zanch at 07/17/2007 16:42
@ tehuberone

Don Mattrick is the guy who was the president of EA when all those labor lawsuits were being thrown at them. He's the one who made the working conditions so bad. Let's hope he doesn't do the same to Microsoft...
zardoz's Avatar
zardoz at 07/17/2007 16:48
Well this won't affect game design one bit, so it's kind of news but no news.

When it comes to these kind of company positions it's a "Same bitch, different face" policy. Not that I have a problem with Peter Moore but...y'know.
demonelite's Avatar
demonelite at 07/17/2007 17:00
@gitrooman "When did this happen?..oh right, when robert 'homo' summa left "

Am I the only one who misses Rob Summa?
Kotua's Avatar
Kotua at 07/17/2007 17:00
Pity. Peter Moore seemed cool.
I lol'd at the caption on the picture.
Ralph's Avatar
Ralph at 07/17/2007 17:14


It's in the Game.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 07/17/2007 17:18
Ralph: Is it just me, or can all I see if him pitchin' a tent under that flag?

He's damn well hung.
Knives's Avatar
Knives at 07/17/2007 17:23
How will Pac-Man pick up ladies now?
KyleGamgee's Avatar
KyleGamgee at 07/17/2007 17:51
But...
but...
but...

EA sucks, right?

Does this guy suck?
THE ROADIE's Avatar
THE ROADIE at 07/17/2007 18:11
Maybe he'll make EA have passion for the games and not the money, wishful thinking I know.
Myrmidon16's Avatar
Myrmidon16 at 07/17/2007 19:22
suks peter moore really brought greatness to microsoft and the 360. hopefully it doesnt fall with him gone, and i agree with sterling, hope he doesnt migrate to 'behind the scenes' and still reflects his peter moore greatness onto ea, which in my opinion has slacked a little lately.
Demios's Avatar
Demios at 07/17/2007 19:27
I like the guy and got my truly psyched for owning a 360, i think this will be a big loss for Microsoft.

I remember hearing somebody else saying recently that at E3 his presence on stage basically pwned whoever the other companies could muster and i tend to agree with that idea.

With Reggie and Jack "100 Blinks a second" Trenton (Let's not even mention that RIIIIDDDGGGEEE RACCCEERR fucktard) you sometimes felt they were going through the motions until a guest came out (Miyamoto and Hideo Kojima respectively). In Microsoft's case Moore genuinely could hold the crowd on his own. Basically im saying he's a bloody good man if you wanna shill your console to the masses.
OutrageousToob's Avatar
OutrageousToob at 07/17/2007 20:01
Doesn't this sort of worry any of you folks? I mean, how do we know he's not jumping ship? I wish MS would provide an honest answer as to why he resigned/got canned. My 360 library is just now starting to beef up; I really hope this isn't some bad omen as far as the future of MS's gaming division.
Joe Burling's Avatar
Joe Burling at 07/17/2007 21:59
I am really going to miss Peter Moore. He was my favorite PR guy. Well, my favorite is still probably Kutaragi because he was the most entertaining, but Peter Moore was my favorite to get real information from.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 07/17/2007 23:22
@OutrageousToob

Kotaku has a post about his new salary. Believe me, he's not leaving a sinking ship. He wanted to move to the Bay area and get mo' money. And I'd imagine this job would be somewhat less stressful. I don't think Microsoft has anything more to worry about now than they ever have.
KGETZ3's Avatar
KGETZ3 at 07/17/2007 23:39
I loved Peter Moore in a totally non-homosexual kinda way.

I agree with everyone else that he's the best PR guy and was the best at holding the stage.

I hope he does PR shit for EA cuz im gonna miss him.
Diomeneus's Avatar
Diomeneus at 07/18/2007 01:28
I am truly sad to see that man go... he did so much good and he was the most honest with gamers of the three. I actually liked him. Its a sad sad day for me.
Jim's Avatar
Jim at 07/18/2007 01:53
(I like Peter Moore, but I'm a cynic too)

The man knows when to take his hat - brilliant!

Peter Moore @ SEGA: Dreamcast sunk.
...
Peter Moore @ MS: Red Rings of Death burn money.
...
Peter Moore @ EA: Madden-NFL-series is cancelled.
...
Peter Moore joins Sony ;)
linuxguy's Avatar
linuxguy at 07/18/2007 04:28
you mean that now peter moore is going multiplatforme,can't wait
for his comments on yesterday's foes
TorpedoTed's Avatar
TorpedoTed at 07/18/2007 05:55
EA ditch sony to concentrate on Xbox! haha that would be funny! He was always for the Wii60 idea ;¬)
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 07/18/2007 07:15
First sentence in the post ftl.


What about the other bald guy who showed off the 360 at e3 '05? What happened to him anyway? Or did I miss that post?
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