Peter Moore kickin' it at EA Sports

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Jul 17, 2007 1:45 pm PT

[UPDATE 3] Xbox 360's most public advocate to head third-party publisher's sports games arm; Don Mattrick named as replacement, Sony welcomes former rival.

Normally, the week after the Electronic Entertainment Expo is relatively quiet. This year, though, saw a bombshell rock the game industry four days after the E3 Media & Business Summit closed shop.

Goodbye Microsoft, hello EA Sports!

GameSpot has confirmed that Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the entertainment and devices division of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, is quitting. The announcement comes less than one week after Moore hosted Microsoft's E3 press briefing. It also comes just under two weeks after he announced the extension of the Xbox 360's manufacturer's warranty to three years. Prompted by rising reports of hardware defects that Moore had previously downplayed, the move will cost Microsoft as much as $1.15 billion last quarter alone.

The closeness of the 360's warranty extension and Moore's departure has raised some eyebrows, given his prior steadfast dismissals and evasions on any 360 hardware issues. Even more ironic will be the fact that Moore's new gig will have him helping to hype games on the 360's archrivals--the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii.

Electronic Arts has confirmed to GameSpot that Peter Moore has been tapped to become the new president of EA Sports. The move will put Moore in charge of one of the top third-party publisher's four divisions, which were established in a recent company-wide reorganization. EA Sports develops and publishes the popular Madden NFL, NBA Live, Tiger Woods, and FIFA franchise, as well as the just-released NCAA Football 08.

Though some might consider it a demotion, Moore's move is the latest chapter in a long and storied career in the game industry. Before becoming the Xbox's chief spokesperson in 2003, he was president and COO of Sega of America. During his tenure there, he presided over the Sonic Factory's transition from console-maker to third-party publisher in the wake of the Dreamcast's demise.

[UPDATE] Wasting no time in filling the abrupt vacancy, Microsoft also announced today that the reins for its interactive entertainment business have been passed to Don Mattrick. Altogether fitting in light of Moore's new digs, Mattrick served as Electronic Arts' president of worldwide studios until February 2006. The seasoned exec has been working as an external advisor for Microsoft's entertainment and devices division since February 2007, and will transition into his new role of senior vice president of interactive entertainment business effective July 30. Moore will remain at Microsoft through August to aid in Mattrick's transition.

[UPDATE 2] Moore's move was also greeted with kind words from a former archrival. Sony Computer Entertainment America president Jack Tretton issued a statement warmly welcoming Moore to EA Sports, which develops a range of PS3 titles. "We wish Peter the best of luck in his new role at Electronic Arts and look forward to working with him," he said. "We have an outstanding relationship with EA and their sports products have been incredibly successful on all our platforms. I am sure this will continue with Peter now at the helm."

[UPDATE 3] Last but not least, later in the day an EA SEC filing revealed Moore's generous salary package, which includes a $1.5 million signing bonus.

623 Comments

  • IMDLEGEND

    Posted Aug 14, 2007 8:38 am PT

    Say what you will about Peter Moore, his E3 presentations were the most entertaining. The tatoo reveals were priceless, and he is always willing to put himself out there, playing rock band at the latest E3. Although he has made some missteps along the way (we all remember his statements on Backwards Compatibility), Peter Moore is a man who isn't afraid to speak his mind (most of the time).

  • packernation31

    Posted Aug 8, 2007 3:45 pm PT

    so that's why he extended the warranty...

  • AndyTSJ

    Posted Aug 2, 2007 1:31 am PT

    Peter is a great guy, looking forward to see what he does at EA.

  • FoxMcCloudDS

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 4:13 am PT

    Peter was cool at Sega, not microsoft, not ea, not any of thoes. this is like Miyamoto going and working for capcom now...lol

  • FoxMcCloudDS

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 4:05 am PT

    I think nintendo should have tried to get him, although he wouldnt wana take george harrison's job... would he? they are moving to cali too!

  • staley6565

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 12:50 pm PT

    I'd have to say it'd be way more fun to work for EA, than MS, Sony, Nintendo, because of the simple fact that working for EA is neutral.

    You can say, "hey, we got great games coming on great consoles, you should buy the ones you like", instead of "Our console is better for this reason, and the rumors of this and that are false, and we're currently fixing blah blah" (The kinds of statements each console maker has to come across hundreds of times).

    I ended up taking a job for less money to live near my family, so maybe that's a bigger reason he's with EA than money.

  • Esoteric4x

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 11:16 am PT

    How is he a weasel for taking a job that pays him more? You boobs! Like you wouldn't take it. Plus I heard his family lives in San Fran so that's a bonus on top of the cash.

  • bigpimppapa

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 10:40 am PT

    He is a weasel no loyalty, it is not like MICROSOFT wasn't paying this guy. Greed is the most important part of the gaming industry.

  • jorranvv

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 12:48 am PT

    $$$ It`s all about the money$$$

  • TehPickle

    Posted Jul 25, 2007 9:59 pm PT

    As far as being the "face of 360" went, I actually quite liked Peter Moore. I find it a little sad that he's going to work for the sequel factory but if it's making him a ton of cash, then best of luck to him.

  • DeadBullet

    Posted Jul 25, 2007 8:19 pm PT

    Why cant you ****** sony fanboys understand that Peter Moore didnt left MS cause it sucks, or cause its sinking, its because of MONEY, EA will pay him better than MS did. And why on god name are you sony fanboys saying MS is sinking, I mean, you should be informed before posting any stupid comments like those, please sony fanboys just go and get smarter.

  • miiiguel

    Posted Jul 25, 2007 8:12 pm PT

    I'm so confused, who's the evil empire now?, it used to be, well... always MS (u'r supposed to bash, right?), then EA and PEter More was pretty bad too..., now..., is EA cool again, and P. More is oh so amazing ? What about almighty Sony?, is it ok to like or not? hummm, I miss the days we played games.

  • miiiguel

    Posted Jul 25, 2007 8:05 pm PT

    GC4ever: what war ? Is there a war going on ?

  • ZoSo1975

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 11:30 pm PT

    Go Peter! Follow those $$$ and abandon the sinking ship known as Microsoft's gaming division.

  • Suyomizzle_

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 1:08 pm PT

    O_0

    This comes as a big shock to me. I wonder what that indicates about Microsoft's future success.

  • GC4ever

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 11:46 am PT

    well looks like he'll have to shove his foot in his mouth now!!!!!
    to bad microsoft you're losing the war now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • HotRod2142

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 4:52 pm PT

    MedevilDragon what are u talking about last I heard Microsoft was the evil empire before that it was IBM

  • munsoned

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 2:18 pm PT

    i`ll laugh if peter makes jack put a petter more tattoo on his arm. in order to get a madden game

  • nonsoville2

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 11:05 am PT

    Yay! Go Moore

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