Microsoft game president Bach retiring

Microsoft might have strung together consecutive years of growth in its Entertainment and Devices division, but that isn't preventing the software giant from enacting a substantial shake-up within the Xbox and Zune segment's executive ranks. Following on from recent reports that chief experience officer and chief technology officer J Allard would exit the company as part of a sweeping organizational change, Microsoft confirmed today that Entertainment and Devices president Robbie Bach will retire this fall.

Having joined Microsoft in 1988, Bach managed the software company's European business operations from 1990-1992, before transitioning to a marketing role for Microsoft Office until 1997. Prior to leading the Entertainment and Devices division, which formed in 2005, Bach served as chief Xbox officer and head of the Home and Entertainment Group, leading Microsoft's efforts to enter the console space in 2001.

Microsoft did not name a direct replacement for Bach. However, the Redmond, Washington-based company did note that senior vice president Don Mattrick will continue to lead the Interactive Entertainment Business, which includes Xbox and Games for Windows. Senior vice president Andy Lees will also resume his leadership role atop the Mobile Communications Business, home to Windows Phone 7. Though Bach will remain with the company until this fall, Mattrick and Lees will report to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer beginning July 1.

Along with announcing Bach's retirement, Microsoft also confirmed that J Allard will be ending his 19-year tenure with the company. Details regarding Allard's departure were not disclosed. However, last week, GameSpot sister site ZDNet offered conflicting reports from company sources, saying that Allard either resigned his position after Microsoft shelved the Courier dual-screen tablet device or was booted by Ballmer over the project.

As one final note to Microsoft's organizational shake-up today, the publisher announced that corporate VP of Live Platform Services David Treadwell will now lead the Interactive Entertainment Business' core technology organization.