John Schappert New Microsoft Corporate Vice President of LIVE, Software and Services

Microsoft Corp. has announced that John Schappert, former Electronic Arts vice president, has been hired for the newly created position of corporate vice president of LIVE, software and services for Microsoft Interactive entertainment Business (IEB). Schappert will be running the LIVE, software and services group under Don Mattrick, the newly named senior vice president of IEB.

“I am thrilled to have John join the deep bench of proven talent already on Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business,” Mattrick said. “John’s expertise will help us focus on expanding and enriching our market leadership with LIVE in areas like online services while broadening our audience. John will also build on the great work already happening in the developer community working with Chris Satchell and the XNA organization.”

Schappert brings a wealth of experience to Microsoft. He founded Tiburon Entertainment in 1994, which was later acquired by EA. Starting as a programmer on games such as EA’s Madden NFL series, Schappert rose through the ranks and holding several senior positions in EA including chief operating officer of worldwide studios, group general manager, and general manager of EA Canada and EA Tiburon. He will now oversee Xbox LIVE, Games for Windows – LIVE, XNAâ„¢ and Microsoft(r) Casual Games, Windows LIVEâ„¢ Messenger, Windows Games and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

via Press Release