Over a year ago, Microsoft promoted Phil Spencer to GM of its Microsoft Game Studios (MGS) business. At the same time, Shane Kim moved up the ladder to corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB). Now, however, Kim has decided that after 19 years at the company, he'd like to spend more time with his family. He'll be leaving the company this fall.
Spencer will be promoted from GM to corporate vice president of MGS, but Spencer is not replacing Kim at the IEB overall. For now, Microsoft said it doesn't plan to look for a replacement for Kim. In his last few months at the company, Kim will work to smooth the transition into his retirement by getting others up to speed on his current projects.
Without Kim there to oversee the games business, Spencer will now be even more involved in putting together Microsoft's long-term strategy for the MGS business. Additionally, Microsoft said today that Dennis Durkin, who heads up IEB's finances, will now take up the newly created role of chief operating officer. He'll help Spencer "focus the business" going forward.
Speaking on a personal level for a moment, we've always enjoyed our meetings with Kim, so we wish him all the best in his retirement.
