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Ed Fries Leaves Microsoft's Game Unit

Posted by simoniker on from the fry-boy-go-bye-bye dept.

jnguy writes "According to Reuters, Ed Fries, Microsoft's game studio head, has resigned. The last major person to leave Microsoft in this fashion was Seamus Blackley. I wonder if this has any other meaning - I've seen Fries at many of Microsoft's parties and launch events, and consider him one of the biggest figures in Xbox history." CNN Money has further information on Fries' departure, noting that "he plans to remain in the gaming industry", and commenting that he was "actively involved in the development and launch of the Xbox gaming system and oversaw the acquisition of several major game developers, including Bungie Software... and Rare." They also have comments from Fries himself, as he muses on his future: "I'm looking for a situation where I have a lot of freedom around the development of our products and the way those products come to market. I've had some of that to date, but not as much as I would like."

3 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Hmm by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I predict there'll be a lot of theories about how this is evidence that Microsoft is bad even though the simplest explanation is that it isn't his dream job.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
    1. Re:Hmm by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yup, just below your post, the problem surfaces. There is a world of possible reasons why this guy left that don't involve the actual company itself. Of course, on Slashdot - it's got to be because the downfall of MS is right around the corner.

      --
      I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  2. Re:It was probably buying Rare thad did him in... by dancingmad · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It's not a rumor, as far as I can see. Look at Rare's output the last few years; they haven't had a major title since Goldeneye on the Nintendo 64. Even Donkey Kong Country, on the SNES was a so so title (an average platformer that sold well) and the series was killed of by two derivative sequels and an even crappier 3D game on the N64. I've heard much of the Donkey Kong Country team had left before MS's acquistion.

    If something wasn't wrong with Rare, why would Nintendo part with them? The Big N, despite the gloomy predictions here on slashdot, are not hurting for cash or anything.

    --
    "There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter," Jeeves, (Jeeves and the Impending Doom)