Two of the top men responsible for Microsoft's Xbox 360 strategy left the company this week, depicted as departing on good terms, but nonetheless announced as "retiring" from the company.
Robbie Bach, the former head of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, and J. Allard, a 15-year veteran described as the father of the Xbox and Xbox 360, both on their way out as Microsoft's console leadership steers in a different direction. Bach will remain through the end of 2010; Allard will be on hand in an advisory role.
Though both men were later said to be interested in taking a break from the console wars, and finding fulfillment in charitable works, personal pursuits, or the oft-cited spending time with one's family, many readers were naturally suspicious that was all there was to it. Others accepted the news at face value, and figuring that bringing in fresh blood doesn't necessarily mean the old guard had no heart.
"Both are multi-millionaires, and now they want to have time to enjoy what all their hard work has brought them," wrote Almightywhacko. Besides, they are both getting older and may no longer really have a touch for what the future of video gaming or consumer electronics really could be. Sometimes it is better to bow out while feelings are good than to hold on so tight that you ride the beast, and yourself, to death."
That was the week on Kotaku. Your open comment thread begins underneath this recap of Kotaku's original reporting.
One other housekeeping announcement: With the Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., Kotaku is on an abbreviated posting schedule today and tomorrow. Posts will publish every two hours. All standing features will be published this weekend but their post times might adjust slightly.
- Top Stories
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J Allard, We Will Miss You
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What the NFL Antitrust Ruling Might Mean for Madden - Kotaku Talk Radio
- Columns
Well Played: Fanatics Draw the Line For Super Mario Galaxy 2
Stick Jockey: His Name's Gus Johnson, and He Gets Fans - Reviews, Previews, Hands-On and Impressions
UFC Undisputed 2010 Review: A Light Heavyweight Rematch
Prince Of Persia: The Sands of Time Movie Review
Metal Torrent Micro-Review: Not As Good As A Coinstar
Killzone 3 Hands-on: Bigger, Better & More 3D
Frankenreview: Red Dead Redemption
ModNation Racers Review: Where The Vinyl Meets The Road
The Art Of Uncharted 2 Review: Glossy, Glossy
Frankenreview: Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Features
Video Games, I've Let You Down - News
The Latest Call of Duty Explores The Bloody Birth of Special Forces
The Original Prince of Persia is Glorious on the iPad
Load-Time-Shortening ModNation Racers Update In The Works
Monkey Island Success Could Mean More Adventure From LucasArts
IGN Vixen Goes Topless For Charity
Everything is Juicy and Wet in Splatterhouse
Killzone 3 Eyes-On: Chance of Flurries & Brutal Melee
How The Pros Mock Nintendo
Is Prince of Persia Really A Racial Whitewash?
Why Insomniac's Move Is No PlayStation Panic
Street Fighter II or Street Fighter IV, Which Does Daigo Like Better? - Numbers
Waiting For The Japanese Blockbusters, By The Numbers
iTunes Chart Toppers: Old Man Pac-Man - Infographic
A Visual Guide To The Role-Playing Game - Sports
FIFA's Facebook Game Launches, Threatens Productivity
Introducing Soccer Relegation to American Football - in a Video Game
UFC Online's One-Use Code a Lesson in How Not to Do It [Updated] - Perspectives
Dear Apple, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft
Ubisoft Ruins Prince Of Persia Box Art
Prepare For The Lost Finale With Every Unanswered Question - Reactions
A Week In Comments