John Schappert doubts future of Xbox 360 – Natal?
Shocking news spread across the Web today: John Schappert is resigning as the VP of Microsoft LIVE, software and services. Schappert left Microsoft to re-join EA as the Chief Operating Officer. Many have already started to question Schappert’s departure in light of his recent Natal announcement at E3.
John Schappert worked for EA for almost two decades prior to joining Microsoft for two years. Despite the extremely short stint at Microsoft, Schappert has managed to become almost as vocal as Peter Moore. Schappert was notable for questioning the superiority of the PS3. Schappert also stated that the 360 was more hi-def capable than the PS3 back in 2008.
Peter Moore was even more vocally derogatory towards the PS3. However, after Moore joined the ranks of EA he has actually complemented the PS3 on occasion, pledging to bring quality software to all platforms. Judging by the Fight Night and NHL series, it looks like he has kept true to his promise.
It will be interesting to see Schappert supporting the PS3 platform once he re-joins the EA fold as well. Even though he will be more on the operations side of the house I am sure we will hear more from him in the near future.
According to TG Daily, question around Schappert’s confidence level for Natal has been raised. I must admit the way his resignation came about suddenly and the fact it was announced right after his presentation of Natal during E3 has raised some questions in my mind as well. Schappert’s departure has been as abrupt as Peter Moore’s, which has raised some eyebrows.
Peter Moore has largely been pegged as the scapegoat for the Red Ring of Death debacle after the news broke and Microsoft initiated the three year warranty. The fact that Schappert’s departure was abrupt has raised some questions as traditionally executive resignations usually tend to ceremoniously drag on like Phil Harrison’s transition.
Interestingly enough, all management on the Xbox Live side of the house will now directly report to Don Mattrick, who is also a former EA man himself. This raises an interesting question – is the Xbox division completely run by former EA executives?
Related Posts:
71 Responses to “John Schappert doubts future of Xbox 360 – Natal?”
Leave a Reply:
You must be logged in to post a comment. Don't have an account? Register today!
June 21st, 2009
Just to let you know I wanted to find out why you think John Schappert doubts the future of Natal only to find out there isn’t much in this article about what you title implies. One little snippet 5 paragraphs down and all you write is
“According to TG Daily, question around Schappert’s confidence level for Natal has been raised. I must admit the way his resignation came about suddenly and the fact it was announced right after his presentation of Natal during E3 has raised some questions in my mind as well.”
Come on Mike are you serious. This is what you waste peoples time for?
June 21st, 2009
“John Schappert doubts future of Xbox 360 – Natal”
Drawing a long bow there Mike !!!! LOL Might need a little more than a sudden resignation to support the thread title.
I do see however that the title is not a statement, but is a question. Do we think Schappert jumped ship because he doubts the future of the 360 or Natal. At the moment, no one knows and/or probably will.
But it will be funny to see the xbots jump up and down a little …..
June 21st, 2009
Where exactly does it say that he doubts Natal?
June 21st, 2009
I don’t see how the VP of *Xbox Live* is affected by Natal.
He didn’t even present Natal.
June 21st, 2009
jumping off the sinking ship
June 21st, 2009
Bit like that tale about people “lying” over a new Xbox.
All comment and almost zero attempt at shoing any sort of substantiating direct quote.
Not exactly high quality journalism if you ask me.
June 21st, 2009
I don’t really appreciate having my time wasted reading through articles like this only to find that it is nothing more than flamebait, there is not a single quote that suggests he might “doubt the future of Xbox 360 Natal” & there is no logical reason to make that conclusion.
If this is any indication of the kind of journalism adopted by this site then i may have wasted my time registering.
June 21st, 2009
Well the truth is I think John Schappert went to EA because if you a VP over here and you get offered the COO over there, I think that is a no brainer. I would probably do the same thing. More Money, More Money, More Money!!!! But if I worked for MS I would probably think that the Microsoft Job would be more exciting and fun but most people let money come before passion.
June 21st, 2009
Case in point.
“The high-flying executive will apparently receive a $600,000 annual salary from EA, along with an option to purchase 500,000 company shares. Schappert was also awarded a $1 million sign-on bonus to replace awards he forfeited by joining EA”
June 21st, 2009
My baseless speculation is that he quit because his wife told him she wanted a bigger house and a young man to mow the lawn and trim her bus… erm, trim thier bushes.
I’m sticking with that.
June 21st, 2009
Seriously mike, how many coupons did you have to collect before you got this job?
June 21st, 2009
@CON,
*post deleted
Calm down and watch it there with the personal attacks, don’t get your panties in a bunch. I would hate to ban you.
Anyway its normal for the media to start questioning the prospect of a project when one of the execs jump ship. Goes either way for Sony or Microsoft, no-one is immune to it.
You think I’m speculating? Im questioning it – but you should check out the source article from TG Daily and see what they said.
Well, I am glad at least our loyal readers are a bit more active here then there.
June 21st, 2009
Mike, +2 for using a question mark for a questionable title and a professional photo of a Microsoft exec/rep for a change.
As for the job change, I think Microsoft and EA have a relationship similar to the FDA and pharmaceutical industry… they have an understanding, constant dealings with each other, and they consistently trade jobs with each other.
Though I could be wrong, I don’t exactly see this as “jumping ship”. A million dollars up front, stock options, and $600,000 a year starting salary might have just a little something to do with this resignation… plus the exec moves on and Microsoft gets a fresh perspective from the next who is ready to go.
June 21st, 2009
Seems that some of the people commenting on this story are adhering to better journalism than Mike did when he wrote it.
June 21st, 2009
@ Mike,
Speaking of banning, did you get around to banning ‘fuck you Andrew_DS’? I’m going to miss Roca/Ivan.
June 21st, 2009
So a guy changing one senior job in the game industry to return to a company he had worked at previously (for another higher paying senior job) in an industry where such changes are hardly unique is “jumping ship?” is it?
The little queestion mark excuses all, huh?
Come on, be honest, that’s more that a bit tabloid & thin, wouldn’t you say Mike?
Still no substantive quotes on what Balmer is suposed to have said to back up the “lying?” (not the little question mark) story?
June 21st, 2009
Mike Ferro to post an inflammatory story without a question mark at the end of the title?
June 22nd, 2009
Give Mike a break, I thought it was kinda funny.
I would have liked to see a headline “Phil Harrison resigns, is the PS3 going to be withdrawn from market?”
June 22nd, 2009
@Happy,
Regarding Ballmer I indicated in my story that its all over twitter. Jump on twitter and search Executive Club meeting along with Ballmer.
Not sure what you are doubting as its been reported by hundreds of publications already, there were a good amount of press attending the EC meeting.
Anyway not sure if you were here last year, but I have called several news items way ahead of everyone else, that have come to pass – Xbox 360 price drop (early 2008), Mirror’s Edge exclusive DLC for PS3, Microsoft shift towards casual market (called this in early 2008), Ghostbuster PS3 exclusivity (early 2008), A new Xbox 360 SKU with Natal bundled in 2010. I have another prediction that will be revealed soon as well…
In reference to this article – the question is around the fact why Schappert is jumping ship so abruptly. The usual exec resignation drags on for about a month and investors are prepared for with a public announcement well in ahead.
Examples of other execs that resigned abruptly are Peter Moore and Ken Kutaragi. As TG Daily indicated there is a bit of confusion when an exec jumps ship on short notice. Of course since Schappert’s latest project he was helming was Natal so that is the logical target or topic of debate.
I wouldn’t even call the EA position higher paying when you consider the fact Msft’s execs rake in one of the highest bonuses in the industry.
Here is just a sample of the bonuses paid out to some of the VPs and Presidents at Microsoft on an annual basis –
Robbie Bach, president, Entertainment & Devices Division: $2.8 million
Lisa Brummel, senior vice president of human resources: $1.5 million
Kevin Johnson, co-president, Platforms & Services Division: $6 million
VP of human resource gets $1.5mil..unbelievable.
Don’t get too awed by the signing bonus either its a one time affair and as far as the stock option – he has the option to buy up to 500k discounted shares.
Anyway, even though other news outlets are reporting similarly I am glad you chose to be active on our site.
June 22nd, 2009
@me_,
Well there were similar headlines for Ken Kutaragi departure and Peter Moore.
But, Phil Harrision it was your standard affair – long drawn out resignation. took about a month, investors were prepared etc… nothing surprisingly sudden or abrupt about it.
June 22nd, 2009
“but I have called several news items way ahead of everyone else”
Mike, just some feedback, and just my opinion, but I believe your work will speak for itself. “I called this” or “I predicted this” is not as welcome as a subtle link to the original piece.
Anyway, keep up the great work.
June 22nd, 2009
@ Harry ” did you get around to banning ‘fuck you Andrew_DS’? I’m going to miss Roca/Ivan.”
IS that where my fan club has gone? I wondered where “fuck Andrew_DS” was. I miss them too!
I liked Peter Moore but I couldn’t stand that harrison guy. He had a face you could punch all day long. Now he has left sony I don’t mind him though. Good luck at Atari. I think you may need it.
June 22nd, 2009
Carl, were not a parliamentary committee here, we all have been here long enough to know what has been said/posted/predicted. I don’t think we need to have death by links.
June 22nd, 2009
actually…he already left Atari
June 22nd, 2009
Hes already left Atari. No way! My god I am slowwwwww. Well his CV isn’t going to look very good with all these jobs at failed companies.
June 22nd, 2009
He go for Ninty next Andrew ….. look out
June 22nd, 2009
Arrrggghhh. Close the doors Ninty. Don’t let the doom monger in. Noooooooooooo!
June 22nd, 2009
even I am questioning the Future of Xbox360.
June 22nd, 2009
Spideydog, I agree. I wasn’t talking about “death by links” but rather a word or two linked like he already does with other sites articles instead of sentences or a paragraph like he has in past articles (not this one). I was just reminded of it when he commented.
June 22nd, 2009
I think only the most hardcore xbots are hailing Natal as the second coming of Jesus. Everyone else with reason, sees it as a neat add on.
June 22nd, 2009
Okey Dokey
June 22nd, 2009
PS Cloud is going to be a “Facebook” type of service for the PS community. where you can see what ur friends are doing all the time. wheather they are on the Computer, on the Phone, on the PSP, on the PSN, play games on the PS3, etc.
you can also see how far the are in a game. their game collection, the next game they are going to buy etc.
there is also more feature to be announce soon
June 22nd, 2009
Mike
Microsofts staff got big bonuses when the stock market was working with them.
That’s over.
June 22nd, 2009
yeah Happy right now nothing is working for M$ and the 360 thats why that dude bounce.
Smart move, smart move……
June 22nd, 2009
kotaku.com/5297023/colbert-mocks-project-natal-debuts-new-xbox
June 22nd, 2009
in other news:
GTA: Chinatown Wars is coming this fall for the PSP. It will be released UMD and digitally this fall in North America and Europe. The PSP version will add widescreen 3D graphics, as well beefed-up lighting and animations. The game’s single-player campaign will have new story missions.
June 22nd, 2009
Roca
LOL
Yeah, you’ve really got a grasp on the markets there with understood that one.
June 22nd, 2009
BTW Mike, do you really think twitter is considered such a reliable source that you can base stories on it as if quotes some giver on it were verbatim?
Put it like this, if you got taken to court for defaming someone and, say, labelling them publicly as a liar, would you think a defense that relied upon “it was all over twitter” would stand up?
June 22nd, 2009
Happy but you were arguing the PS3 sales based on sales of bluray movies ??
June 22nd, 2009
@Happy,
I think your not understanding… twitters via journalists in attendance at the Exec Club meeting, including TG Daily.
Do I consider them reliable? Yes.
If you read my article correctly then you would know I am not calling Ballmer a liar, in fact I said he was telling the truth and Greenberg was covering up for what Ballmer said.
Are you doubting that there will not be a new Xbox 360 configuration with Natal bundled next year? Not sure what you are arguing about since Ballmer clearly said this in front of thousands of people in attendance at the meeting.
June 22nd, 2009
Mike there is actually going to be 3 New Xbox configuraton. and its “XBOX NATAL” (they took out the “360″)
Xbox Natal Arcade:
Arcade System w/ no HDD, no Natal built-in, no power cord, no controller, no av/componet cables, no wi-fi, and no usb port
Xbox Natal Pro:
System w/ a controller, power cord, ave/componet cable, 60gb HDD, no Natal built-in, no wife, no HDMI, no rechargable batteries and no wifi.
Xbox Natal elite:
Elite system comes w/ 120gb HDD, ethernet cable, one controller, av/componets/HDMI cables, with natal built in, no wi-fi.
**also all 3 new configuration comes with the upgrade verson of the RRoD now called “RRoD Natal vol. 2″
June 22nd, 2009
Mike,
I have just been asking for direct attributable quotes.
Even with little question marks I think throwing terms like lying liar around are OTT in the light of not a single direct quote.
I note that the initial implication that Balmer was talking about a true next gen Xbox are being retreated from and (like I have beening pointing out & saying) the Valhalla Xbox 360 revision is now what is being being mentioned.
Bit late in the day if you ask me…….and Valhalla has been public knowledge for a long time.
Roca
3 configs (with the lower 2 upgradeable) is ok, it’s only where we are now.
You’re idea of a Natal Xbox is almost certainly well wide of the mark in regard to the HDD.
I’d bet the house a new bigger Xbox HDD is coming and it’ll be more than double the size of the current max @ 120gb.
June 22nd, 2009
“I’d bet the house a new bigger Xbox HDD is coming and it’ll be more than double the size of the current max @ 120gb”
yeah keep dreaming.
they just introduced the 60gb xbox so apparently M$ thought 60gb was enough. and since the 120gb HDD is $150, im just guessing you would pay $300 for the 200/250 HDD?
June 22nd, 2009
In thoery they could keep the price lower. It is, afterall, a standard sata hdd (smaller form factor that desktop drives of course). So I don’t see why it would need to be $300 if they REALLY wanted it not to be.
June 22nd, 2009
CAD is the new Sega Boy, only slightly less psychotic.
June 22nd, 2009
Roca
They hardly ‘just’ released the 60gb drive.
SW
I expect they’ll do to the 60gb & 120gb drives what they did when the 60gb & 120gb HDDs 1st came out & they repriced the 20gb unit much lower.
If we get a 400/500gb 2.5″ drive I expect it to sell around the same (or maybe slightly higher) the price of the current 120gb.
After what we saw at E3 it’s obvious with their future plans for direct full game downloads that they need much more storage than 120gb.
As much as they are bound to want to make money on a new drive they also want it to sell.
June 22nd, 2009
I think I’m going to have to look into replacing my drive with another one, I hate the 20gb drive.
I can only ever install two games at a time (I always install my games) and its pissing me off.
When I was playing Star Ocean I had to install discs 2/3 and couldn’t install anything else.. *grumble*
Not that I hate install times, but I hate having to do it constantly…
I refuse to purchase an MS drive tho unless they’re of comparable price to ‘real world’ drives.
June 22nd, 2009
I suspect the choice will be between a 160GB drive and a 320GB drive. Both are pretty much default for netbooks and laptops, so dirt cheap to purchase.
June 22nd, 2009
SW, is Star Ocean worth a purchase?
June 22nd, 2009
SW
If you don’t mind a little messing about and have confidence in your DIY skill you can do it yourself to 120gb easily.
Don’t you know you can put a regular 120gb 2.5″ drive (but afaik only one specific brand & model, it’s the exact same one as the one Microsoft use) in your 20gb case and use that?
See the full guide & info (with pics) here -
h**p://www.pcworld.com/article/150970/upgrade_your_xbox_360s_hard_drive_on_the_cheap.html
June 22nd, 2009
Oh, I should mention that 120gb is the limit (for now) due to a bit of inbuilt firmware on the Xbox.
June 22nd, 2009
Oh yeah, one last thing, right now there’s no problem doing this.
Afaik Microsoft can check you have official kit but no-one is reporting any problems with this upgrade (it’s not like you can do anything with it that you can’t with the official upgrade).
But if they ever got snotty about it & decided to start loking and banning people then who knows?
June 23rd, 2009
Harry, did you ever beat the Golden Knight and The Immortal in Lost Odyssey? These combined with The Backyard are pretty excellent once you level up properly with the right spells. 110 hours so far and counting.
June 23rd, 2009
@HH – I know, thats what I was talking about
I’ve already had my hdd out a few times to back it up onto my PC.
I couldn’t give a fudge if I get banned.
June 23rd, 2009
CharlieB, are they part of a sidequest? If so, probably not, I guess I didn’t extract all of the juice from the game by the sounds of things! 110 hours? That’s insane! Are you nearing the end of the main story?
June 23rd, 2009
I spent 182 hrs in Final Fantasy XII and im done with the story but 75% done with all the extra stuff and side quest
June 23rd, 2009
Harry, they are, and I am finishing it all, except for the DLC, before I go to the endgame, then I will probably move on to the DLC. I still have to max out all the Immortals, return The Sacred Mask to The Temple of Enlightenment, etc., so it may take a long time before I am done with everything. But the Unreal Engine 3 graphics look outstanding, especially in the huge, very detailed bosses like The Golden Knight.
June 23rd, 2009
Yeah Mistwalker did a much better job with the engine than Square did with Last Remnant. I guess it was their first attempt at using it I suppose.
June 23rd, 2009
Yep. It also helps that this game was produced by the guy that is the creator of the Final Fantasy series, Hironobo Sakaguchi. This game is addictive. Also, I forgot to mention, that time is with the guide! I can’t imagine how long it would take to finish and see everything without it…
June 23rd, 2009
Oh for sure Lost Odyssey is an amazing game. I’m on the last disk and I have not picked it up for like 1/2 a year. I’m going to be so lost when I go back. I’m doing it tonight, you guys have inspired me. The Story is great and the Graphic just look fabulous. Lost Odyssey has definately drawn my attention to RPG’s because before that I was never really into them. I just picked it up one day to try something different and I’m glad I did.
June 23rd, 2009
Its good to hear ur in the RPG fanclub.
There is no better genre than RPG,
Not FPS’s, RTS, no puzzle, Racing etc
RPG games when they are well made, you know you going to have an experience you will never forget.
June 23rd, 2009
Indeed roca. You also know that you’re going to get value for money with them.
June 24th, 2009
RPG games are the best genre IMO. When they are well made, I can lost in them like no other game. I’m a little starving for a good, new RPG. Right now I’m rocking FF7 on my PSP, having a great time with it. Can’t wait for FF13, just hope it’s better then 10 for the PS2. That was a decent game just found it way too linear! I like to have alot of options and free roaming in my RPGs.
June 24th, 2009
Oh and FF12 for PS2, just don’t know, just did’t do it for me? Can you guys reccommend some fun/addictting RPGs for Xbox 360 and/or PS3?
June 24th, 2009
Harry,
Is Mistwalker still working on Cry On? When is that coming out?
@Knighthawk: Try Valkyria Chronicles on the PS3, if you haven’t yet. Mass Effect on 360 is amazing, too, if you don’t mind that it’s an RPG/TPS hybrid.
-Arvis
June 24th, 2009
JRPGs:
Valkyria Chronicles (PS3)
Eternal Sonata (PS3)
Lost Oddessy (X360)
Tales of Vispera (X360)
FPS/TPS RPG (AMERICAN RPGs):
Fallout 3 (PS3/X360)
Oblivion (PS3/X360)
Animate Mini-JRPGs:
Penny arcade adventures (PSN/XBL)
PSP:
FF: Crisis Core
Star Ocean: Frist Departure
Star Ocean: Second Evolution
Jeanne D’ark
DS:
Chrono Trigger
Suikoden Tierkreis
Final Fantasy IV
June 24th, 2009
@ Arvis,
No idea, all I know is that they’re working on Blue Dragon 2.
June 25th, 2009
I haven’t played it yet… but Eternal Sonata from Roca’s list is also on XBox 360 if you’re interested. Personally I’m going to check out Fable 2 after this, then Tales of Vesperia. I also here Shin Megami Devil Summoner on the DS is exceptional, but haven’t had the time yet.
June 25th, 2009
I’m eyeing off Star Ocean after I polish off Last Remnant. I finally leveled up enough last night to get past the 6 ‘bases’, it only took me 2 weeks of toiling to do.
June 25th, 2009
Harry, did you ever get the treasure trove achievement on Lost Odyssey? Crazy. I’m going back through the Temple of Enlightenment to see what I can get for the cursed mask at the altar… nothing else came up at the auction house, so I should be okay so far. I was missing voice recognition from Natal on the menus tonight, would have saved at least 30 minutes.
June 26th, 2009
“Grudge Match: 360 v. PS3 Roleplaying Games
Has Microsoft unseated Sony as king of the RPG?”
by Hilary Goldstein, Ryan Clements
June 25, 2009 –
xbox360.ign.com/articles/998/998401p1.html