Two items of news from the Video Game HR department, firstly Marc Whitten, Chief Product Officer of Xbox, will be leaving to become Chief Product Officer of Sonos.
“I have had the extreme pleasure over the last 14 years to work on the greatest product with the greatest team and for the greatest community,” said Whitten.
“Xbox is so special because of the amazing team I’ve had the opportunity to work with and because our fans are the most incredible fans on the planet. It has been the highlight of my career to work on a product so loved. It’s incredibly tough to leave but I am confident the best days are ahead for Xbox fans, in the capable hands of a very talented team.”
Also moving to pastures new is legendary game producer, Koji Igarashi, the chap behind Konami’s Castlevania series.
“I’ve decided to break out on my own to have the freedom to make the kind of games I really want to make — the same kind I think fans of my past games want as well,” Igarashi explained to Polygon.
“Leaving Konami was a big decision, and not one I took lightly — I’ve spent my entire career there, made many friends, and had a lot of great opportunities — but I hope all the gamers and fans who have supported me in the past will join me in being excited about what comes next. Wish me luck!”
Tedbaker
Rats leaving sinking ships….
a inferior race
And what of Jack tretton?
bunimomike
Agreed. God forbid that people have come to the end of their time with a company for personal reasons or fancy a challenge that their current employer can’t provide.
Starman
Obligatory fanboy comment.
Geeby
It’s been a crazy few weeks with layoffs and walkouts.. Certainly couldn’t have predicted the headlines.
Best of luck to everyone though, onwards and upwards for the industry as a whole all being well!
SLUMMO316
Ted baker is the new dumb fanboy I see. Or perhaps it’s one of the old lot on a new account
Kennykazey
New metroidvania series incoming? Could be very cool.
BullyBurton
The Xbox has shaped the industry for the better, PSN has improved due to the competition too. The 360 showed how devs wanted an easy console to work with and that simplicity may have contributed to PS4’s dev friendly design.
Bottom line – neither would shine as they do now without the other. XB1 is taking a battering for lack of power spread too thin, but then many features and apps are better than PS4’s attempts.
Though I enjoy my PS4 and PS3, i think the 360 is one of the best products in this industry for its impact alone. In the early days switching between the two was so very different, today though – they pretty much do the same things.
BullyBurton
Forgot to add that I hope his experience and input in the Xbox brand helps him in a proud career elewhere