GFW Live chief exits Microsoft

Last week, Microsoft joined companies the world over in hunkering down for a long, hard economic slump, saying that it would cut its head count by 5,000 during the next 18 months. Of those cuts, the Redmond-based software giant said that it would immediately eliminate 1,400 positions. Thus far, that move that has resulted in the closure of its internally owned ACES Studio, the outfit behind its popular PC franchise, Flight Simulator.

As it turns out, ACES isn't the only PC-oriented player being shot down. Venture Beat's Dean Takahashi reports that Games for Windows Live general manager Chris Early was among the aforementioned unlucky 1,400. Early took the reins of the GFWL beat in July 2007, transitioning from his previous role as studio manager for Microsoft Casual Games.

As of press time, Microsoft reps had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment on Early's status.

If confirmed, Early's exit marks yet another loss for Microsoft's in-house PC gaming roster. Last September, the Xbox 360 maker caused a stir when it announced plans to close Ensemble Studios, creator of the popular PC real-time strategy franchise Age of Empires. Ensemble's final project, Halo Wars, is slated to arrive in North America exclusively for the 360 on March 3.