It was reported yesterday that Don Mattrick, the head of Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business, left Microsoft for a CEO position with Zynga, of all companies. Upon such news, the Internet immediately made several jokes about Mattrick liking sinking ships, about whether he really quit or was fired, and well, you get the idea. Many have surmised that he most likely left due to the numerous PR blunders both he and MS committed with the reveal of the Xbox One, but a new profile by Fast Company has said that Mattrick left Microsoft due to an imminent reorganization within the company.
According to Fast Company, Microsoft was about to announce a major restructuring of the company, one that would have moved Mattrick to a "newly created hardward division." Mattrick reportedly wanted a bigger role within the company, and hence his departure.
Fast Company also notes that Microsoft had no contingency plan for Mattrick, highly suggesting that Mattrick's news yesterday shocked them as well. For now, CEO Steve Ballmer has taken over Mattrick's position, and it is rumored that Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Studios, will eventually take over.
