Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer stepping down within a year

Steve Ballmer announced yesterday his departure from Microsoft after 13 years (medium) loyal service. The inventory will exercise very quickly and take the lead story, the future ex-CEO said that for him was his biggest regret.

The Seattle Times scored interviews with Ballmer and Thompson, revealing a couple of tidbits. First, Thompson notes that the CEO will, indeed, have some input on choosing his successor. In fully reflective mode, Ballmer (not shockingly, perhaps) admits that Vista was his biggest disappointment during his tenure. He also added that he plans to stay in Seattle post-retirement, so that tropical island paradise will have to wait. Also, as plenty have noted before us, the Wall Street reaction to news has been been initially fairly positive, so read into that what you will.

The Microsoft Action earns 8% after the announcement

Don Mattrick, Ballmer ... who's next?

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Call of Duty: Ghosts have its coop mode

Scheduled for the end of the year Call of Duty: Ghosts is advertised as a return to square one, or more precisely a new branch of the series.

In addition to several mechanisms to resume the saga Call of Duty: Ghosts should have some new features, like the dog, but not only. A message posted on twitter of Candice Cape, community coordinator for Infinity Ward, confirmed the presence of a kind of co-operative play mode inspired by the Spec Ops option of MW2 and MW3.

Nothing more has been revealed and now you will have to wait a few weeks to discover all the secrets of this expected next installment, coming November 5.

Rumor: Julie Larson-Green To Lead Xbox Development

Microsoft is having some really big change factors lately, and the reorganization we heard rumors of seems to be moving ahead. The implications for Xbox development are profound, as platform responsibilities might now be split across multiple departments.

According to Bloomberg, corporate vice president of Windows Program Management Julie Larson-Green is CEO Steve Ballmer’s current pick to lead Xbox development. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be a direct replacement for Don Mattrick, who left the company to take over the CEO role at Zynga this week.

The reorganization will put all hardware, including Xbox and Surface tablets, under Larson-Green. Since she began at Microsoft in 1993, Larson-Green has been responsible for early versions of Internet Explorer, the overhaul to Microsoft Office, and interface design for Windows 7 and Windows 8. Larson-Green holds a master’s degree in software engineering and a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Further more, rumors also place Skype president Tony Bates at the head of a new division focused on acquisitions, mergers, and relationships with software developers. The latter is a crucial function for game platforms.

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Don Mattrick Joining Zynga As CEO

According to the words of the web site All Thing Digital, the president of Microsoft Entertainment Don Mattrick will soon announce his resignation to join the Zynga group.

Since the announcement of the Xbox One in late May, buzz for the console has been mired with troubled communications. First there was the reversal on DRM and online connectivity. Last week saw the headset double step. And now, Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, is reportedly leaving to take a top position at Zynga.

All Things D is reporting that Mattrick's appointment could come as soon as the financial markets close today. Mattrick has been at the center of some of Microsoft's biggest Xbox One missteps, including suggesting that people who can't connect to the Internet purchase an Xbox 360 instead and that the Xbox One offers "thousands of dollars of value."

Zynga has seen its own exodus of personnel both before and after cutting 520 jobs last month. We've reached out to Microsoft and Zynga for comment. At the time of publication, Microsoft has yet to respond and Zynga declined to comment.


Update: Zynga has confirmed that Don Mattrick, now former president of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, is coming aboard as the company's new CEO.

On Monday, Mattrick will take over the reigns as founder Mark Pincus abdicates that role, but remains as chariman of the board and chief product officer. Mattrick will report to the board, who approved his hiring unanimously. He and Pincus will be part of a new executive committee that will manage broader operations between board meetings.

Mattrick joined Microsoft in 2007, after a long career in the gaming sector, starting at Distinctive Software, which he founded at 17 years old. It was later acquired by EA, where he eventually headed its global studios and research and development. According to his company bio, “since Mattrick began overseeing the Xbox division, the Xbox 360 installed base grew from 10 million to nearly 80 million worldwide while Xbox Live membership increased from 6 million to nearly 50 million.”

The Canadian native has long wanted to move back to the Bay area, where he has a home, said sources, another important factor in this move.

Sony confirms PlayStation 4 will have 500GB internal storage, PlayStation Eye camera will retail for $60.

The PlayStation 4 has a 500GB hard drive--the same size as the Xbox One--Sony confirmed as part of a recently released fact sheet regarding the next-generation platform.

In addition, PlayStation Eye cameras will not be included with PS4 systems. Instead, they will be available as peripherals for $60 each.

Additional DualShock 4 controllers will sell for $60.

By comparison, the Kinect 2.0 is included with every Xbox One and has been described as an integral component of Microsoft's next-generation machine.

The PS4 will launch this year at $400, while the Xbox One will be available for $500.

PS4 supports used games and features no online check-in

Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation 4 will not require an online-check in, and that Sony will impose no restrictions on trading in disc-based games.

Speaking during Sony's E3 2013 press conference, SCEA president Jack Tretton added that that disc-based PlayStation 4 games will be able to be traded in at retail, sold to another person, lent to friends, or just kept forever.

The news positions Sony's PlayStation 4 in direct opposition to Microsoft's Xbox One, which requires a 24-hour check-in for all games and will restrict the sale of used games to selected retailers.

"I guess that's a good thing," said Tretton.

PlayStation 4 console hardware finally revealed!

The PlayStation 4 design Sony unveiled this evening is not final, but it's close, according to Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida.

"It's almost final," Yoshida said, noting there are "some subtle things" that could change before the next-generation system launches later this year.

In addition, Sony confirmed that the plastic piece that holds the system upright when positioned vertically will be sold as a separate peripheral. Pricing was not divulged.

Sony confirms a $399/€399/£349 price for the PlayStation 4 hardware, $100 cheaper than Microsoft's Xbox One

Sony has announced today that the PlayStation 4 will cost $399 in North America.

In other regions, the PlayStation 4 will cost €399 in Europe and £349 in the UK.

The PlayStation 4 will retail for $100 less than Microsoft's Xbox One, which will cost $499/€499/£429. The PlayStation 4 will launch this holiday season, but Sony did not date the PlayStation 4. Microsoft's Xbox One will launch in November.

Preorders for the device will likely begin imminently at major retailers.

We're live from E3 2013 in Los Angeles!

The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) officially kicks off on Tuesday morning, but press attendees have packed schedules starting bright and early today.

Microsoft's kicking things off with its briefing, which promises new Xbox One details and a major focus on games.

Sony, meanwhile, is officially unveiling its new PlayStation 4 hardware, having teased the look of the new box and naming its nighttime E3 briefing as the big reveal.

Come Tuesday, Nintendo is welcoming select show goers at its exhibition booth for a sneak peek at new Wii U titles, before E3 opens for business at noon Pacific Time.


You'll find everything, from news stories and hands-on posts on the homepage throughout the week...

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