Matt Booty will rule Microsoft Studios and report to Microsoft’s games chief Phil Spencer who has just been promoted to overseeing all games, associated hardware, and game strategy.
The changes are designed to improve Microsoft’s games business. Last year Vole did not produce first-party games for its Xbox One console over the past year, after cancelling Scalebound, Fable Legends, and Ion. Crackdown 3 was delayed until spring. This meant that Microsoft launched its Xbox One X game console without any high profile exclusive games, and it’s led to questions about the company’s games strategy.
GamesBeat reports that Booty’s new role will see Microsoft devoting more resources to its games business. Booty will be looking after Microsoft’s relationships with 343 Industries, The Coalition, Mojang, Rare, Turn 10 Studios, and Global Publishing.
Booty has been kicking around the Redmond Volehill since 2010 and helped launch games for Windows phones. He’s also helped develop Xbox Live Arcade, and oversaw Minecraft maker Mojang after Microsoft acquired the company for $2.5 billion back in 2014.