Microsoft on Tuesday announced it is replacing top executives at its gaming and mobile devices division, which has stumbled in the smartphone and tablet computer markets.
Robbie Bach, 48, will retire by year’s end from his post as president of the Entertainment and Devices Division.
Entertainment devices chief technology officer James “J” Allard will also leave Microsoft, becoming a strategic adviser to chief executive Steve Ballmer.
Don Mattrick will remain head of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business and Andy Lees will stay in charge of the Mobile Communications Business but both men will report directly to Ballmer as of July 1.
“I’ve been so fortunate to spend more than two decades of my life working with incredible people and doing amazing things like launching Office, Xbox and Xbox Live, the ‘Halo’ franchise, Windows Phones, Zune and more,” said Bach.
