Piggybacking on a story that we brought you during last week’s weekly gaming update Microsoft has announced some major changes in the higher ups of its organization. The first of these is that J Allard, senior vice president of Design and Development for E&D(Entertainment and Devices) and leader of the Xbox brand, will be leaving the company after nineteen years working. However, Allard isn’t cutting ties with Microsoft entirely as he will take “an official role as an advisor in a strategic role for Ballmer and his
leadership team.” Although Allard isn’t quoted in the press release, his departure is thought to be the product of the Courier tablet PC being nixed.
In other departures news Robbie Bach, president of E&D will also be retiring after 22 years of working with Microsoft. It appears that no one will take this position immediately, instead, the people working under Bach will report directly to Steve Ballmer instead of Bach. There doesn’t appear to be any of the sort of frustration which resulted in Allard leaving as Bach stated “I’m at the time in my life where I want to dedicate more time to my
family and my nonprofit work, including my work with the Boys &
Girls Clubs of America. I have the utmost confidence in Steve, Don and
Andy and their ability to see through our mission of bringing
extraordinary entertainment and mobility experiences to life for people
around the world.” Bach will also remain on with the company through the fall and work with Steve Ballmer to ensure a smooth transition as he retires from the company.
