Robbie Bach follows J. Allard out the door at Microsoft
By James • May 26th, 2010 • Category: Industry News
- Photo: Microsoft
Though both say this is not the case, Robbie Bach and J. Allard both leaving Microsoft at the same time seems fishy business and very untimely considering how close together the departures are. Though Allard is known to have left over the scrapping of the Microsoft Courier Project, Bach says he is leaving for personal reasons.
Bach, who was President of the Entertainment and Devices division, has left Microsoft, following closely in the heels of J. Allard, Chief Experience Officer and Chief Technology Officer of the Entertainment and Devices division. Bach’s reasons for leaving seem a little more diplomatic than Allard’s reasons. He tells TechFlash he has personal interests he wants to pursue and that the fundamentals of E&D division are solid. He’s also careful to add the inconspicuous timing of his leaving right next to former Xbox 360 champion J. Allard is nothing but pure coincidence.
Important times in the division
- Photo: Microsoft
Bach’s departure could not have come at a more key time for Microsoft. The Redmond-based giant’s Entertainment and Devices division is currently dedicating massive resources to preparing Project Natal, which Bach describes as a ‘midlife kicker’ for the Xbox 360, as well as preparing the launch of Windows Phone 7 Series, its much talked about and hugely anticipated mobile OS.
Bach and Allard leave a division they’re absolutely synonymous with and they leave two product sets that could forever alter Microsoft’s business from the two-trick Windows and Office pony it currently is – the Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7 Series.
Wherever either of the two decides to go, it’s a certainty they’ll land on their feet. Though the Microsoft Courier Project scrapping was unfortunate, perhaps Allard could take his tablet creating aspirations elsewhere and Bach could pursue his personal goals. And, who knows, maybe Microsoft could use with the fresh blood in its Entertainment and Devices division.
Tags for this article: J. Allard, microsoft, Microsoft Courier, Xbox 360
