New Zynga CEO Don Mattrick left his position as President of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment unit just months before the Xbox One release date, a surprising move considering the favorable market position of his former employer. After leading the Xbox 360 to its 30th consecutive month atop U.S. sales charts, Mattrick left a Microsoft division that's poised to sell out of its entire launch allocations of Xbox One consoles in spite of some lingering discontent over the company's flip-flop over used-game policies and … [Read more...]
Don Mattrick Leaving Microsoft Before Xbox One Even Launches?
Microsoft executive Don Mattrick, the public face and organizational leader for Microsoft's Xbox division, may resign from Microsoft as early as this afternoon to assume the CEO role for social-gaming company Zynga. If the report from the Wall Street Journal is true, it would appear to be a significant setback to the upcoming launch of the Xbox One at a time when Xbox One pre-orders and buzz have endured a bit of a roller coaster. That's not to say Mattrick's departure would harm the launch of the Xbox One. Other … [Read more...]
Microsoft Removes Xbox One Online Check-in, Changes Used-Game Policy
The Xbox One online check-in requirement and used-game policy are officially things of the past, according to a letter just released by Don Mattrick, President of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. In the letter, Mattrick said an internet connection will no longer be required to play Xbox One games offline, and there is no longer a 24-hour connection requirement for the Xbox One. In addition, disc-based Xbox One games can now be traded, rented, resold and gifted exactly as gamers have grown accustomed … [Read more...]