In early March we had reported a rumor that Phil Harrison, supervisor of the Microsoft European Studios, was about to leave the company. Today, the Xbox Division Chief Phil Spencer confirmed these rumors in a statement released to GamesIndustry.biz . Harrison decided to leave the company to pursue other interests outside the company.

These are the words of Spencer: " After a successful career as Vice President of Xbox Europe, Phil Harrison chose to pursue business interests outside of Microsoft.   Phil has been a distinguished leader for our team Xbox Europe, because it has overseen the production of our award-winning European studies and has contributed a lot to the overall level for the Xbox brand business. I want to thank Phil for his creativity and his leadership over the past three years. Phil is a great friend and I wish him the best in his future endeavors. "

Harrison also issued a statement, confirming the site as the "divorce" was decidedly friendly: "I appreciate enormously the last three years at Microsoft and has been a privilege to lead and work alongside the incredible talent of Microsoft Studios in Europe, collaborating with several studies including Rare, Lionhead, Lift, Soho and Press Play. I wish to my friends that the world Xbox can continue successfully, and I know that the company will continue to produce thick titles under the supervision of Phil Spencer. "

It is now official and, as we knew , Kudo Tsunoda will now work with European studies instead of Harrison.