Xbox Exec Phil Harrison Expected to Leave Microsoft

Microsoft Corporate Vice President Phil Harrison will be parting ways with the company for a new venture.

GamesIndustry reports that multiple sources indicate Corporate VP Phil Harrison will be leaving Microsoft. While many Microsoft and Xbox representatives are currently in attendance at GDC and PAX East, no one is officially commenting on whether or not Harrison has left the building. Prior to his employment at the Big M, Harrison played both sides of the field as being the Executive Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and a Representative Director of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. Xbox head Phil Spencer and Chris Charla, the director of the ID@Xbox program, both refused to comment on Harrison's departure as well. A Microsoft spokesperson even stepped in to mention Charla was the wrong person to ask about staff departures. Despite being a representative for the company, the spokesperson refused to comment. Lift London, a company that Harrison founded, will be merging with Microsoft's Soho Productions multimedia studio, which could factor into a reason for his departure.

Phil Harrison originally joined Microsoft as the Vice President of Interactive Entertainment Business and EMEA head of games. Scuttlebutt claims that Harrison may have become frustrated that he did not move up the corporate ladder when former Xbox head Don Mattrick left the company to become Zynga's new CEO, with Phil Spencer taking his place.  Here's to hoping Harrison's departure doesn't shake things up at Xbox.