Microsoft corporate vice-president and senior member of the Xbox leadership team Phil Harrison is reportedly leaving the company.
According to GamesIndustry.biz, Harrison is planning a move away from Microsoft after reportedly growing frustrate at having not climbed the Microsoft corporate ladder, following the departure of Don Mattrick to Zynga and Phil Spencer’s subsequent promotion.
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Though Microsoft has declined to issue an official statement regarding the matter, Harrison responded to questioning from Eurogamer at GDC this week by saying: “I’m sorry, I don’t think I can say anything about that.”
Harrison joined Microsoft in 2012, a year prior to the launch of the Xbox One, and was tasked with overseeing UK-based developers such as Rare, Lionhead Studios and Soho Productions. This rumor comes after reports that Microsoft Studios’ Lift London, a British game developer that Harrison helped found, was going to merge with Soho Productions.
While this rumor certainly has reliable sources, Microsoft nor Harrison have yet to officially confirm his departure, and what this may spell for the future of the company’s Xbox division.
