With former Xbox Games head Phil Spencer managing Microsoft’s broader game platform, his position is open and his replacement has been named.
Microsoft has appointed Minecraft head Matt Booty as the corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. His new role sees him looking over Microsoft Studios and its original content like 343 Industries responsible for Halo, The Coalition who did Gears of War, and Forza’s Turn 10. This will also cover mobile and PC titles as well, which means gamers may see better multi-platform releases.
Both Spencer and Booty’s promotions are designed to help improve Microsoft’s gaming business.
Booty told reports that he is honored to be stepping into this new role and is looking forward to working with the different studio heads. He also said that adding a leadership layer such as himself to the mix will let studios focus more on making great Xbox games. He also took to social media expressing his excitement for the new role.
Check out Booty’s tweet below:
Thanks so much for the kind words, everyone. It’s been an honor to lead the Minecraft franchise, and I’m incredibly excited to support our first party game teams in my new role.
— Matt Booty (@mattbooty) January 17, 2018
Booty is not a new hire to Microsoft, as he began working for the company in 2010. He also helped launch different games for Windows phones and even helped develop Xbox Live Arcade, and also helped look over Mojang after Microsoft acquired the company in 2014.
He got his first gaming job at Midway Games contributing to classic titles such as Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, and more. He moved through Midway going from general manager of the Chicago team to eventually becoming CEO in 2008.
More Xbox News
Spencer has revealed that Microsoft is planning an E3 2018 briefing in California, and he teased that it will include some new and positive changes compared to recent briefings.
E3 2018 will arrive in the summer and will run from June 12 to June 14 in Los Angeles. It is one of the biggest game expo shows of the year, and lots of rumors are floating around regarding what will be revealed.
One of the biggest rumors is that Microsoft will be announcing Halo 6. The company is also said to be working on a counter to PlayStation Now’s game streaming service.
