Microsoft Confirms Departure of Xbox Europe Vice President Phil Harrison

Phil Harrison has announced his formal resignation from Microsoft Europe. An industry veteran whose career has spanned over 25 years, Harrison has worked with a wide variety of companies, including Gaikai,  Atari, and Sony and overseen development at major game studios such as Guerrilla Games and Evolution Studios.

In a statement to Games Industry, Microsoft revealed why Harrison is leaving the company and confirms that the split is amicable:

"Following a successful tenure as Corporate Vice President in Xbox in Europe, Phil Harrison has chosen to pursue business interests outside of Microsoft,"

"Phil has been a distinguished leader for our European Xbox team – overseeing production at our award-winning European studios and making a substantial contribution to the Xbox business globally. I want to thank Phil for his creativity and leadership over the past three years. Phil is a great friend of mine and I wish him the very best with his future endeavours."

Harrison also spoke of Microsoft head Phil Spencer. Apparently, Harrison has the utmost faith in Spencer to lead the Xbox charge:

"I have enjoyed the last three years at Microsoft enormously and it has been a privilege to lead and work along side the incredible talent within Microsoft Studios in Europe, including Rare, Lionhead, Lift, Soho and Press Play. I wish them and my many friends throughout the Xbox world every continued success and know that games will continue to prosper across Microsoft under Phil Spencer's leadership,"

His legacy is exceedingly strong and he's not finished yet, as Games Industry reveals:

"Following a successful tenure as Corporate Vice President in Xbox in Europe, Phil Harrison has chosen to pursue business interests outside of Microsoft,"

We're looking forward to seeing what Harrison has planned for the future.