Microsoft Game Studios Announces European Publishing Arm

[Peench]

MICROSOFT GAME STUDIOS ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN PUBLISHING ARM
UK-based European office will continue success for MGS in Europe

May 4, 2007 – Microsoft® today announced it will be establishing a European office of Microsoft Game Studios (MGS). The European arm will focus on continuing and growing the success of MGS-published content in Europe and in building ever-deeper relationships with European development talent.

From 6th May, the European arm of MGS will be based in Reading, UK and headed up by Phil Spencer, General Manager, Microsoft Game Studios. Reporting to Shane Kim, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Game Studios, Spencer will continue his role of running the MGS publishing business and working with studios from around the world, while building a European publishing team alongside Shannon Loftis (Director of European Production) and Todd Stevens (Director of Business Management). The European Publishing team will report into the worldwide publishing leadership team in Redmond, WA.

“Europe is obviously very important to our platform efforts and an area where have a strong history of working with some of the best game industry talent,” said Spencer. “We already have an established presence in the region with some of the world’s best development talent like Lionhead and Rare, and great publishing partners like Bizarre Creations, Real Time Worlds and Remedy. I’m very excited about what we’ve accomplished in Europe and I look forward to continuing and strengthening that success by building deeper relationships with the development community here.”