VG247

Sources close to GI.biz have told the site Phil Harrison, former of Sony and Atari executive, is joining Microsoft as head of its European Games Studios.

The site understands Microsoft will confirm the appointment later today.

Harrison will take over the position vacated by Peter Molyneux, who announced his departure for 22 Cans during GDC last week.

A partner at London Venture Partners for the last two years, Harrison was involved with games investment after tenures at both Atari and Sony.

http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/13/report-phil-harrison-to-join-microsoft-as-head-of-european-games-studios/

The beginning of the end for MS!!!

Seriously though, I don't remember him being great for Sony, but anything is better than molyneux

Eurogamer

Harrison was responsible for overseeing 13 of Sony's first-party studios around the world, and was synonymous with big PlayStation 3 announcements at conferences. He unveiled PlayStation Home and LittleBigPlanet to the world at GDC in early 2007, for instance.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-13-former-sony-man-phil-harrison-made-boss-of-microsofts-european-game-studios

LOL. Too funny.

Cue steady stream of Sony fanboys saying "We never liked him anyway" and "He was bad for Sony!"

This guy is bald. You can have him.

Oh nooooo. I remember back in 2006 all PS3 fans wanted to have his babies. This "should" be a 360 victory here.

"We stole a PS3 exclusive......executive :P"

But I never thought he did any good for Sony. And offcourse ps3 fans will immediately forget how much they loved him and claim its no big deal.

Hmmm I honestly don't remember him being all that great for Sony with the exception that he was excellent on stage, easily beating cammie dunaway and reggie, and that ms guy. Not Peter Moore, Peter Moore ruled.
I'd say he falls just short of Tak Fujii, but he's better in a cool professional guy sort of way.

I lol'd.

I actually never liked him. He seemed arrogant when he was with Sony. But that was 5 years ago. Hope he has changed. IMO the best candidate would be a mix out of Molyneux and him. Molyneux has a vision, but no business background at all. He seems to be more business than vision. 

Microsofts EU based studios are

• Lionhead
• Rare
• MS Soho

Not much to oversee tbh. Especially compared to the 14 (15 if you count flight) studios in NA.

Never heard of him :S

Major Nelson

Today we’re announcing that Phil Harrison is joining Microsoft to help grow our efforts in Europe. Full text of the press release is below, but please join me in welcoming Phil to the Xbox family.

REDMOND, Wash. — March 13, 2012 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Phil Harrison, video games luminary and former Sony executive, has joined the Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB) leadership team as corporate vice president with an emphasis on growing the division’s European business.

As the senior IEB leader in Europe, Phil will not only lead the Microsoft Studios European organization directly, but will also influence the broader performance of IEB’s European business through strategic partnerships and by bringing culturally relevant entertainment experiences to Microsoft platforms, now and in the future.

In addition to the wealth of experience Harrison has in the console gaming space, he has immersed himself in new business models and technologies, particularly in the mobile and social space and will bring that market perspective to bear in the new role. He will also tap his deep experience in studio leadership to grow Xbox’s development efforts in Europe, including overseeing UK-based developers Lionhead Studios, Soho Productions and Rare Ltd.

"I am excited to be joining the senior team at Microsoft at a pivotal time for our industry,” said Harrison. “I am really impressed with the company’s long-term vision for growing the market for interactive entertainment globally and also with the incredible wealth of talent, technology and resources the company has available to succeed."

“We are honored to have Phil join a team that boasts a wealth of talent from across the industry,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president at Microsoft Studios. “Phil is one of video gaming’s true visionaries, and his experience overseeing global studios and deep industry relationships make him the ideal person to lead our European efforts. Under his leadership, we look forward to continuing cultivating the best talent and growing our business in the region.”

“Phil has played an instrumental role in shaping modern console history through his keen insights into both hardware and software strategy,” said Don Mattrick, president, Interactive Entertainment Business. “His addition to our leadership team will impact our global business in innumerable ways, as he aligns our studio development and growing portfolio of entertainment experiences in Europe to drive our continued growth worldwide.”

Harrison brings 25 years of games industry and development experience to his new role as the senior leader for IEB Europe. He was a long-time leader at Sony Computer Entertainment, where he held various senior executive positions within the company, most recently as president of Worldwide Studios. After leaving Sony, Harrison joined the board of Infogrames, as president of Atari, where he led the company’s transition into online gaming. Most recently, Harrison is co-founder and General Partner of London Venture Partners, LLP the venture capital firm focused on the web, mobile, social and cloud game sector, where he will continue as Special Advisor.

http://majornelson.com/2012/03/13/former-sony-exec-phil-harrison-to-join-microsoft/