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[via prnewswire.com]

Announced today, former EA President Don Mattrick will replace current Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business VP Peter Moore starting August 01. Moore will be returning to Northern California as head of EA Sports.

Moore explains, in an article on 1up, that he wishes to move his family back to Northern California. In returning to NoCal, Moore will also be heading EA Sports.

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

REDMOND, Wash., July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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(R) and Games for Windows(R) 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.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)
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(TM), 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.