Phil Harrison joining Microsoft as head of Games Studios in Europe

[darren]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-games-studios

i'm thinking the nextbox is going to be 600$ and they needed to find someone who could keep a straight face while telling the world at E3

part of the job description was "Must be able to stand up at E3 and say $600"

Former Sony executive and investment guru inherits Molyneux role

GamesIndustry International understands that Phil Harrison, previously of Sony, Atari and London Venture Partners, is joining Microsoft as head of Microsoft Game Studios Europe.

Several sources have confirmed the appointment to GamesIndustry International separately and Microsoft is expected to confirm it publicly later today.

Harrison will step into the role vacated by ex-Lionhead boss Peter Molyneux, who announced his departure last week to join indie start-up 22-Cans.

Harrison is expected to take direct overall responsibility for all Microsoft-owned UK studios, with a broader remit in Europe as a whole. He is also thought to be retaining an advisory role at current company London Venture Partners.

Two years ago, Harrison co-founded that company, specialising in games industry investment along with David Gardner and David Lau-Kee. Before that he was a board member of Atari, as part of the team which were recruited in an attempt to rejuvenate the flagging publisher.

Harrison's most famous role, however, is his time at Sony, where his ebullient on-stage conference performances and confident brand evangelism earned him a great deal of industry kudos and respect. GamesIndustry International looks forward to him reprising his role for Microsoft at future shows, perhaps as early as E3 2012

[progmetal]

Phil is great. Congrats to MS for getting a excellent stage presenter.

[darren]

you think? i think he's an average presenter at best, as full as much BS as Peter Moore and about a trust worthy as Ballmer .. thinking about it probably good fit for MS

[progmetal]

No, i think he's great. It says so in the article too, and alot of gamers also likes him as a presenter. But you can't be liked by everyone.

[darren]

at least they have replaced like for like .. a man that can't keep a promise, with a man that can't keep a promise.

[Shorty0061]

Who cares about his presentation skills? He was the man who signed on a lot of new IPs for Sony in the few years he was there. This is someone MS could really use at the moment.

[progmetal]

^^True that.

So since Phil is a big casual guy, so maybe more Kinect games now?

[darren]

Originally Posted by Shorty0061

Who cares about his presentation skills? He was the man who signed on a lot of new IPs for Sony in the few years he was there. This is someone MS could really use at the moment.

all i would care about is if he can get Rare to finally start making bloody games again tbh

Originally Posted by progmetal

So since Phil is a big casual guy, so maybe more Kinect games now?

ohh god dont ..


only thing he's ever said i agreed with was about the rapid move to pure dl software and no media .. that could be the reason he's there considering the rumors regard the media or lack of it in the nextbox?