PETER MOORE RESIGNS FROM MICROSOFT, WILL JOIN ELECTRONIC ARTS

In a completely unexpected and shocking turn of events, Peter Moore, corporate vice president of entertainment and devices at Microsoft, has tendered his resignation effective July 30th, 2007. Moore, who has essentially been the face of the Xbox 360 since it’s launch will be joining Electronic Arts as president of the EA Sports line of games.

You know, when I first saw the story break yesterday as a rumor at Kotaku, I could scarcely believe that it was possible. If it weren’t for the fact that I trust Kotaku’s Managing Editor, Brian Crecente, to not post every rumor he hears, I would have just written it off in my mind as wild speculation. By the time I got home, Microsoft and Electronic Arts had confirmed the story, MS had already spoken with most of the major game news outlets and Moore’s new salary had already been uncovered. It’s certainly a case of things happening at a lightning fast pace.

While rumors regarding the situation are certainly flooding the internet, Microsoft has stated that Moore’s decision to move on from the company was due to his desire to return to California. I’m sure the 1.5 million dollar signing bonus, $550,000 annual salary, possible $412,500 in bonuses, $330,000 in moving expenses and option to buy 400,000 shares of EA stock had something to do with it as well. Yeah, that’s a while lot of money.

Microsoft wasted no time in naming current external advisor to Microsoft and former EA Worldwide studios president Don Mattrick as Moore’s replacement. While Moore is due to step down on the 30th, he will be remaining with Microsoft for a few weeks beyond that date in order to assist during the transition period.

You know, I did think it was kind of strange that Moore didn’t really headline this year’s Microsoft E3 press conference, but I just chalked it up to someone in marketing having a “brilliant” idea for the show. I never would have thought that it could be a sign that Moore was on his way out. (Please note that I’m just speculating about that being the reason Moore wasn’t front and center at the E3 press conference)

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to miss Moore. He may have had a bit of a used car salesman vibe about him at times, but the man sure could talk a good game. Anyway, I’ll be in the corner picking up my jaw for the next few hours if anyone needs me.

• Peter Moore to Head EA Sports? – Kotaku
• Peter Moore Resigns, Mattrick Steps In – Kotaku
• EA Confirms Moore’s New Job – Kotaku
• Bach, Mattrick Talk Moore, EA – Kotaku
• Peter Moore’s New EA Salary – Kotaku
• SEC reveals Moore’s multimillion-dollar EA deal – Gamespot

KEN KUTARAGI OFFICIALLY STEPS DOWN AT SONY

As reported in a previous article, yesterday was Ken “Father of the PlayStation” Kutaragi’s last day as CEO and Chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment. While Kutaragi will be staying on as a “special advisor” to the company, the responsibility for SCE’s performance now fully falls to Kutaragi’s successor Kaz Hirai.

Good luck Kaz, you’re going to need it.

• Sony’s Ken Kutaragi Retires – nylatenite.com

SONY’S KEN KUTARAGI RETIRES

Ken Kutaragi, the man known as “The Father of the PlayStation” has announced that he will be stepping down as CEO and Chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment on June 19th and retiring. As you may remember, Sony performed some corporate shuffling a few months back in which Kutaragi was moved away from the day to day operations of the PlayStation division, a move many suspected was due to the poor retail performance of the PlayStation 3. Today’s announcement begs the question of whether Kutaragi was forced out of the company, grew discontented with his new role at Sony or, as the official press release states, actually plans on pursuing other interests besides the PlayStation brand. Officially, Kutaragi will continue working with Sony as both honorary chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment International and as a special advisor to the company.

Kaz Hirai, Sony’s current President and COO of Sony Computer Entertainment, has been appointed as Kutaragi’s successor. Whether this move indicates that Sony needs Hirai to move the division further towards profitability as he’s considered more of a businessman and less of a visionary – unlike Kutaragi, or if Hirai is also slowly being moved towards the door as well, is anyone’s guess. Check out the below links for more on this story.

• SCEI and Sony announce Executive Management Transition – Official press release
• Ken Kutaragi Steps Down at PlayStation – Kotaku
• Ken Kutaragi retires – Gamespot
• Analysts Weigh In on Kutaragi’s Departure – GameDailyBiz
• Sony CEO Kutaragi To Step Down – Gamasutra

KAZ HIRAI AND DAVID REEVES PROMOTED

Yes, that’s not a misprint – Sony has promoted SCEA president Kaz Hirai and SCEE president David Reeves to executive vice presidents of Sony Computer Entertainment’s corporate executive group. According to an article over at Gamespot, in addition to their current duties, Hirai and Reeves will also be getting more involved in the corporate strategy for Sony Computer Entertainment.

Apparently, someone at Sony really likes it when you make an ass out of yourself in front of you customer base. That’s really the only thing I can think of that would explain this, unless the idea was to move them a bit further away from the day to day operations of both SCEA and SCEE – if that’s the case, then I think it’s a brilliant move on Sony’s part.

You can check out the Gamespot article here while asking yourself if making some outrageous claims at work on Monday will result in you getting promoted as well.

NINTENDO’S REGGIE FILS-AIME PROMOTED

Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing and E3 showman Reggie Fils-Aime has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America. In addition to his new task of overseeing day to day operations at Nintendo of America, File-Aimes will continue to be directly in charge of the sales and marketing divisions. I’m sure we all wish Reggie the best in his new position and hope for his continued success in being about kicking ass, taking names and making games.