Microsoft switches one gaming chief for another

Microsoft has turned responsibilities for first-party Xbox and Microsoft Games for Windows over to a new leader.

The new head of Microsoft Game Studios, according to a June 12 announcement on the Microsoft Web site, is Phil Spencer, the former general manager of Microsoft Game Studios Europe.

Shane Kim, who has led Microsoft Games Studios for the past four and a half years, is being moved into a newly created position: Corporate Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, which will be focused on "future external relationships and partnerships, as well as developing growth strategies for the entire business."

Spencer and Kim will both report directly to Don Mattrick, the Senior Vice President of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment business.

Mattrick has been cleaning house and reorganizing his division since he joined Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment business last summer. I'd had heard more than once rumors that Kim might be moved as part of the ongoing shuffle.

Update: Missed this piece. Jeff Bell, the corporate vice president in charge of marketing in its Interactive Entertainment Business is leaving the company to pursue unspecified "other opportunities," some time after the summer ends.

Mattrick replaced Peter Moore, the Corporate Vice President of Microosft’s Interactive Entertainment Business — and the point guy on Xbox and Games for Windows — who left Microsoft to become President of Electronic Arts’ Sports label.