The Week in Review_ The Xbox Takes a New Direction

Two of the top men responsible for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 strategy left the company this week, depicted as departing on good terms, but nonetheless announced as “retiring” from the company. Robbie Bach, the former head of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division, and J. Allard, a 15-year veteran described as the father of the Xbox and Xbox 360, both on their way out as Microsoft’s console leadership steers in a different direction. Bach will remain through the end of 2010; Allard will be on hand in an advisory role.(new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=995c4c7d-194f-4077-b0a0-7ad466eb737c&cid=872d12ce-453b-4870-845f-955919887e1b'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "995c4c7d-194f-4077-b0a0-7ad466eb737c" }).render("79703296e5134c75a2db6e1b64762017"); }); Though both men were later said to be interested in taking a break from the console wars, and finding fulfillment in charitable works, personal pursuits, or the oft-cited spending time with one’s family, many readers were naturally suspicious that was all there was to it. Others accepted the news at face value, and figuring that bringing in fresh blood doesn’t necessarily mean the old guard had no heart. “Both are multi-millionaires, and now they want to have time to enjoy what all their hard work has brought them,” wrote Almightywhacko. Besides, they are both getting older and may no longer really have a touch for what the future of video gaming or consumer electronics really could be. Sometimes it is better to bow out while feelings are good than to hold on so tight that you ride the beast, and yourself, to death.” That was the week on Kotaku. Your open comment thread begins underneath this recap of Kotaku’s original reporting. One other housekeeping announcement: With the Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., Kotaku is on an abbreviated posting schedule today and tomorrow. Posts will publish every two hours. All standing features will be published this weekend but their post times might adjust slightly. Top Stories Red Dead Redemption Review: Feel Good Outlaws Microsoft Shake-Up Tied To Xbox Timeline J Allard, We Will Miss You Father of the Xbox, Head of Gadgets and Fun Leave Microsoft Ratchet & Clank Maker’s Next Game Coming to the Xbox 360, PS3 What the NFL Antitrust Ruling Might Mean for Madden Kotaku Talk Radio Columns Well Played: Fanatics Draw the Line For Super Mario Galaxy 2 Stick Jockey: His Name’s Gus Johnson, and He Gets Fans Reviews, Previews, Hands-On and Impressions UFC Undisputed 2010 Review: A Light Heavyweight Rematch Prince Of Persia: The Sands of Time Movie Review Metal Torrent Micro-Review: Not As Good As A Coinstar Killzone 3 Hands-on: Bigger, Better & More 3D Frankenreview: Red Dead Redemption ModNation Racers Review: Where The Vinyl Meets The Road The Art Of Uncharted 2 Review: Glossy, Glossy Frankenreview: Super Mario Galaxy 2 Features Video Games, I’ve Let You Down News The Latest Call of Duty Explores The Bloody Birth of Special Forces The Original Prince of Persia is Glorious on the iPad Load-Time-Shortening ModNation Racers Update In The Works Monkey Island Success Could Mean More Adventure From LucasArts IGN Vixen Goes Topless For Charity Everything is Juicy and Wet in Splatterhouse Killzone 3 Eyes-On: Chance of Flurries & Brutal H25 Melee How The Pros Mock Nintendo Is Prince of Persia Really A Racial Whitewash? Why Insomniac’s Move Is No PlayStation Panic Street Fighter II or Street Fighter IV, Which Does Daigo Like Better? Numbers Waiting For The Japanese Blockbusters, By h25 com สล็อต​ The Numbers iTunes Chart Toppers: Old Man Pac-Man Infographic A Visual Guide To The Role-Playing Game Sports FIFA’s Facebook Game Launches, Threatens Productivity Introducing Soccer Relegation to American Football – in a Video Game UFC Online’s One-Use Code a Lesson in How Not to Do It [Updated] Perspectives Dear Apple, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft Ubisoft Ruins Prince Of Persia Box Art Prepare For The Lost Finale With Every Unanswered Question Reactions A Week In Comments Republished Features Tension Keeps Video Games Interesting Game Design as Make-Believe: Depiction vs Narration History of Social Games Do We Need Fair Trade Games? Anticipation Kotaku ‘Shop Contest Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: Google Tributes h25 com เข้าสู่ระบบ​ of the Future