Well, Geoff was right – Julie Larson-Green is the new head of Xbox One. In fact, she is in charge of games, music, video and presumably TV! Because, you know, that’s what the Xbox One is all about.
According to the email from Steve Ballmer about the restructuring,
Devices and Studios Engineering Group. Julie Larson-Green will lead this group and will have all hardware development and supply chain from the smallest to the largest devices we build. Julie will also take responsibility for our studios experiences including all games, music, video and other entertainment.
Larson-Green has a background in development – she is a programmer and led the team responsible for Windows 7. In fact, she got the Windows 7 job due to her success working on Microsoft Office; she is the one responsible for the shift to the “ribbon” design. As she explained:
“A lot of what I’ve learned has come from empathy, an ability to forget what I know and think instead like a customer, seeing a product for the first time.”
I’m pretty sure there will be those who love and those who hate her because of her changes to Office and Windows (people fear change). At least Microsoft thought she was a big success, which is why they’ve made her in charge of devices and studios, and I like that whole empathy and thinking like a customer thing.
As part of the restructuring, Ballmer acknowledged that more changes may result from the shifting of people:
We have resolved many details of this org, but we still will have more work to do. Undoubtedly, as we involve more people there will be new issues and changes to our current thinking as well. Completing this process will take through the end of the calendar year as we figure things out and as we keep existing teams focused on current deliverables like Windows 8.1, Xbox One, Windows Phone, etc.
I would speculate that Larson-Green will bring someone on to be the face of Xbox One. Maybe I’m putting a lot of faith in this lady, but I think that she’s smart enough to realize that the Xbox One needs to change it’s approach to users. If she was “revolutionary” enough to change the UI for Office and Windows 7, she should be able to see that Xbox One needs some serious gamer love.
My prediction: Larson-Green will think like a customer and realize that the Xbox One might be a great product, but it hasn’t been paraded around like a cheap hooker just yet. Gamers want to see everything they’re gonna get before they buy – it’s time for Microsoft to show off all their bits, especially the vibrating triggers that Darryn and Geoff keep raving about. She’s gonna find a way to highlight the Xbox One and remind everyone how all the things they didn’t like are now gone – as is Don Mattrick. Maybe she’ll stay on as the face of Xbox One, but I think it’s more likely that she’ll get someone with some street cred to win over the gamers. Although, to be honest, considering the ridiculous pre-sale numbers, it doesn’t seem like the Xbox One is particularly struggling at the moment.
Last Updated: July 12, 2013
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 12, 2013 at 10:06
The ribbon view 0_o *twitch twitch*
Lourens Jordaan
July 12, 2013 at 10:40
I hate those freaken ribbons!!! I mostly use my keyboard and I hate being forced to move my hand to the mouse. The original menu system was much more “keyboard user” friendly. If this bitch was the one to blame for those ribbons….. then I have found my nemesis.
Brady miaau
July 12, 2013 at 10:52
Indeed. But the keyboard short cuts are mostly still available.
I also use keyboard more than mouse, and use short-cut keys all the time.
Lourens Jordaan
July 12, 2013 at 11:40
I agree that they’re still in there…. somewhere… but is it as accessible as the older system? All I’m saying is that I find it less experienced-user-friendly now than what it once was. Maybe the casual user sees the other side of things…. look for picture….. click on picture… click the other picture….. formatting text is easy lol just kidding…save
Brady miaau
July 12, 2013 at 14:21
Nah, it is just a different way of working, but I find just as fast as the old stuff.
I love watching peoples faces when my hands fly across a keyboard and screens open, save files, close, all in a matter of seconds. Dying art, that.
Jonah Cash
July 12, 2013 at 10:10
Well windows 7 is the best windows since Windows 1998, and I hang on to 98 till XP service pack 3 came around… Guess I will have my Windows 7 for quite some time still!!
Maybe this lady knows what she is doing, lets hope so!!
Anon A Mouse
July 12, 2013 at 10:14
I’ve only ditched XP late last year for Win 7. I’m sure it will be many moons before I ditch Win 7.
Lord Chaos
July 12, 2013 at 10:17
I have grown rather fond of Windows 8, It’s simplicity is amazing.
Trevor Davies
July 12, 2013 at 10:26
I want Win 8, just waiting for 8.1 to be released properly.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 12, 2013 at 10:27
Agreed
Lord Chaos
July 12, 2013 at 10:28
The thing I like most about it oddly is the ease of setting up a network.
I barely had to do anything and my entire house is connected and VPN to work is stable.
Brady miaau
July 12, 2013 at 10:33
I actually had and still have some issues with the whole network identifier thing. Got it working now, but it took a little time, which annoyed me.
Lord Chaos
July 12, 2013 at 10:34
Setting the xbox onto my network with 7 was crazy, I just gave up. This time round it was pretty much plug and play, WIFI running, few cabled devices and when friends come over for a lan, just plug in and it’s good to go.
Brady miaau
July 12, 2013 at 10:50
Nah, Xbox config was a joke on both Win 7 and Win 8. Media Centre and all that.
Lord Chaos
July 12, 2013 at 10:52
I didn’t want to use it as a media center, I have my own media server, so all I wanted was for it to connect to the internet.
Brady miaau
July 12, 2013 at 12:21
ok, but just put up DHCP server, with default gateway and sorted?
Trevor Davies
July 12, 2013 at 10:34
Cool, I finally picked up a wireless router on Monday, so I’m setting that up this weekend.
FoxOneZA - X-Therminator
July 12, 2013 at 10:29
Win 8 suits gaming far better.
HvR
July 12, 2013 at 10:30
OMG the madness is spreading.
Brady miaau
July 12, 2013 at 10:32
I am not decided about that. If it is simple, then it is sometimes more difficult to find and fix a problem when it arises.
HvR
July 12, 2013 at 10:33
Actually impossible to fix, by simple they actually just took away all control so that thee can trust in windows. Ubuntu 12.04 is more user friendly than Win8.
Brady miaau
July 12, 2013 at 10:51
That is debatable. Try the PA to the MD on it. How will she react?
I do not know the answer, by the way, just putting it out there.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 12, 2013 at 10:24
Gotta give credit where due. Win7 is good
John Ambitious
July 12, 2013 at 10:34
3.1 FTW
Just kidding. I love 7
3.1 was legend though, back when I had Johnny Castaway as my screen saver.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 12, 2013 at 10:37
I love you! That’s the name! I have been trying to figure out that screensaver name for months and no one could tell me!
Now I just need to find it on the net! Thank you thank you thank you!
PS: There was also a Leanardo Da Vinci type one that was in the same kinda style. Little sprite doing funny stuff. Wouldn’t recall that ones name would you?
John Ambitious
July 12, 2013 at 10:39
Haha. Pleasure. Excellent. I’m just surprised someone else actually knows what I’m talking about!
Will check out that Leonardo one for sure.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 12, 2013 at 10:41
I used to watch the screensaver for hours! Lots of lols was had
John Ambitious
July 12, 2013 at 10:45
I am not alone!!
Vampyre Squirrel
July 12, 2013 at 11:03
Johnny Castaway was a legend in our house lol
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 12, 2013 at 10:43
Used to just sit …. and stare at it, waiting for a new scene. Sierra Days
Anon A Mouse
July 12, 2013 at 10:12
HvR
July 12, 2013 at 10:14
The guy in the back with the gold head did the Xbox One plastics design.
Anon A Mouse
July 12, 2013 at 10:16
I do believe he was head designer….
Unavengedavo
July 12, 2013 at 11:26
…
HvR
July 12, 2013 at 10:12
I wonder who is going to head the MS Division for NSA affairs?
Brady miaau
July 12, 2013 at 10:30
Very cute, my winner comment of the day.
OVG
July 12, 2013 at 11:29
MILO
Trevor Davies
July 12, 2013 at 10:24
I hope she does well, the part about empathy & thinking like a customer is exactly what they need. If it’s something controversial, just explain why, and most people would give you the benefit of the doubt. Whipping on their black turtlenecks & telling customers what to do didn’t work out so well.
Alex Hicks
July 12, 2013 at 10:25
Isn’t that a Russian shuffle? Cause the cards rush ‘n top of each other?
…
I’ll get my coat …
Zoe
July 12, 2013 at 10:29
… actually, yes.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 12, 2013 at 10:27
LOL @ cheap hooker
Brady miaau
July 12, 2013 at 10:30
As a developer it is not easy to think like a customer.
A good skill to have.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 12, 2013 at 10:30
Nice to see a woman on top
Theo Steenekamp
July 12, 2013 at 10:34
We all do..
Lord Chaos
July 12, 2013 at 10:35
^ This
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 12, 2013 at 10:34
will just leave this here ….. because …. #Shuffle
John Ambitious
July 12, 2013 at 10:39
Ace up the sleeve hey?
Zoe
July 12, 2013 at 10:40
why is there always a baguette in a paper bag of groceries?!
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
July 12, 2013 at 10:41
Because the cat said so
John Ambitious
July 12, 2013 at 10:41
You get the answer to that, you solve a lot of mysteries.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 12, 2013 at 10:41
A wizard did it
Lord Chaos
July 12, 2013 at 10:43
42
Umar Kiiroi Senk?
July 12, 2013 at 10:48
You can not have a baguette in a paper bag otherwise all the tomatoes you ever see in the bags (and you know there is always tomatoes will have no place to go 🙁 so baguette = no tomato sandwich
Vampyre Squirrel
July 12, 2013 at 11:05
Maybe she’s a French Japanese?
You know like you get French Canadian… O.o
OVG
July 12, 2013 at 11:28
One day a GAMER will be in charge.
Microsoft CEO Cliffy B vs SONY CEO David Jaffe.
God help us all :p