Microsoft hires former Steam boss for Windows gaming

A sign of good things to come, perhaps?

Microsoft has snatched up former Valve employee Jason Holtman to work on “making Windows a great platform for gaming and interactive entertainment,” reports GamesIndustry International. While at Valve, he was involved with developer relations, working to bring big-name publishers to the company’s now hugely successful Steam.

Holtman was at Valve for eight years before leaving around the same time as when those notable firings went down early this year. Many of us feel like Microsoft has dropped the ball in its approach to PC gaming these past few years — the words “Games for Windows Live” strike fear into our hearts — which makes this a smart hire. There’s certainly room for improvement.

“I think there is a lot of opportunity for Microsoft to deliver the games and entertainment customers want and to work with developers to make that happen, so I’m excited to be here,” Holtman said.

Former Steam boss Jason Holtman lands at Microsoft [GamesIndustry International]