Microsoft's Shane Kim To Retire, Phil Spencer Promoted

Microsoft executive Shane Kim, long associated with Microsoft Game Studios and more recently the company's broader Interactive Entertainment Business division, will retire at the end of this year, after nearly two decades of employment with the Redmond, Washington firm. Kim's retirement is set to be formally announced later today. Gamasutra confirmed the news with a Microsoft representative in advance of the official statement. According to the rep's characterization of Kim's decision, he is not immediately taking a position with another company. "He expressed a desire to spend more time with family, so that's why he's making his retirement," said the spokesperson. Kim's most recent full title was corporate vice president, strategy and business development, Interactive Entertainment Business. He has served with Microsoft for 19 years. Along with that move comes the promotion of two other Microsoft executives, Phil Spencer and Dennis Durkin, who will inherit many of Kim's duties as Kim transitions out of the role over the next four months. Kim's role will not have a direct replacement. Spencer is currently general manager of Microsoft Game Studios, a role Kim once held. He will become corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios, and will continue "overseeing the entirety of first-party content at MGS." His current role will not be replaced, as his new job is largely an elevation of his existing duties. Durkin is currently the CFO of Interactive Entertainment Business, and will be promoted to its COO, a newly-created role. He "and his team will be responsible for driving overall IEB business," the Microsoft rep told Gamasutra.