Don Mattrick
Encyclopedia
Don A. Mattrick who was raised in Vancouver, Canada is best known for his 28 years of experience and leadership in the interactive entertainment industry. Mattrick is currently the President of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. In this role he is responsible for a collection of consumer businesses including Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, Kinect, Zune Music and Video, Mediaroom, as well as PC and mobile interactive entertainment. Prior to joining Microsoft in 2007, Mattrick served as the President of Worldwide Studios for Electronic Arts, where he worked for 25 years. At the age of 17, Mattrick founded Distinctive Software, Inc. which was acquired by Electronic Arts in 1991 and subsequently became EA Canada. He is married with two children.
as a Senior Vice President overseeing the Xbox 360 and PC gaming businesses. In the three years since Mattrick has overseen the division, the Xbox 360 installed base has grown from 10 million to more than 50 million worldwide, while the Xbox LIVE membership has increased from 6 million to over 30 million. At the same time Mattrick is recognized for moving the interactive business from an operating loss into a sustained and profitable business for the company.
Mattrick is also largely credited for his work in bringing Kinect for Xbox 360
to life. Mattrick unveiled Kinect under the code-name of “Project Natal” at E3 2009 on stage with Steven Spielberg. Kinect which is a “controller-free gaming and entertainment experience” for Xbox 360 launched in November 2010 worldwide and sold over 8 million units in the first 60 days, making it the fastest-selling consumer electronic device, according to Guinness World Records. By early March 2011, the device reached 10 million in device sales. The product has been seen as highly innovative and has won numerous awards including being named one of the top inventions of the year from Time Magazine.
In October 2010, Mattrick was promoted to President of the Interactive Entertainment Business, a role that has him reporting directly to the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer
. In this role he is responsible for a collection of consumer businesses including Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE
, Kinect, Zune
Music and Video, Mediaroom, as well as PC and mobile interactive entertainment.
Fortune Magazine in August 2011 named Don Mattrick one of the “Smartest People in Tech 2011” largely highlighting his ability to turn around the Xbox business and drive new consumer innovations like Kinect.
Microsoft
Following his retirement from Electronic Arts, in February 2007 Mattrick was asked by Robbie Bach to serve as an external advisor to the Entertainment and Devices Division. In July 2007, Mattrick then officially joined MicrosoftMicrosoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
as a Senior Vice President overseeing the Xbox 360 and PC gaming businesses. In the three years since Mattrick has overseen the division, the Xbox 360 installed base has grown from 10 million to more than 50 million worldwide, while the Xbox LIVE membership has increased from 6 million to over 30 million. At the same time Mattrick is recognized for moving the interactive business from an operating loss into a sustained and profitable business for the company.
Mattrick is also largely credited for his work in bringing Kinect for Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
to life. Mattrick unveiled Kinect under the code-name of “Project Natal” at E3 2009 on stage with Steven Spielberg. Kinect which is a “controller-free gaming and entertainment experience” for Xbox 360 launched in November 2010 worldwide and sold over 8 million units in the first 60 days, making it the fastest-selling consumer electronic device, according to Guinness World Records. By early March 2011, the device reached 10 million in device sales. The product has been seen as highly innovative and has won numerous awards including being named one of the top inventions of the year from Time Magazine.
In October 2010, Mattrick was promoted to President of the Interactive Entertainment Business, a role that has him reporting directly to the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer
Steven Anthony "Steve" Ballmer is an American business magnate. He is the chief executive officer of Microsoft, having held that post since January 2000. , his personal wealth is estimated at US$13.9 billion, ranking number 19 on the Forbes 400.-Early life:Ballmer was born in Detroit, Michigan to...
. In this role he is responsible for a collection of consumer businesses including Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
, Kinect, Zune
Zune
Zune is a digital media brand owned by Microsoft which includes a line of portable media players, a digital media player software for Windows machines, a music subscription service known as a 'Zune Music Pass', music and video streaming for the Xbox 360 via the Zune Software, music, TV and movie...
Music and Video, Mediaroom, as well as PC and mobile interactive entertainment.
Fortune Magazine in August 2011 named Don Mattrick one of the “Smartest People in Tech 2011” largely highlighting his ability to turn around the Xbox business and drive new consumer innovations like Kinect.