11 Facts About Don Mattrick

Donald Allan Mattrick was born on 13 February 1964 and is a Canadian businessman who previously served as the CEO of social gaming company Zynga and the president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft.

In 1991, Don Mattrick was the chairman and the majority owner of DSI while Canadian businessman Tarrnie Williams served as CEO.

Don Mattrick served in a variety of leadership positions at Electronic Arts and, prior to leaving the company in 2005, served as the president of Worldwide Studios for Electronic Arts where he oversaw EA's global studios and research and development in several major sites, including Redwood Shores, California, EALA in Los Angeles, EA Tiburon in Florida, EA Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Montreal, and EA UK in Chertsey, England.

In July 2007, Don Mattrick officially joined Microsoft as a senior vice president overseeing the Xbox 360 and PC gaming businesses, with his oversight apparently leading to an increase in video game installations and Xbox LIVE subscriptions.

Don Mattrick is largely credited for his work in developing Kinect for Xbox 360.

Don Mattrick unveiled Kinect under the code-name of "Project Natal" at E3 2009 on stage with Steven Spielberg to positive reception.

In October 2010, Don Mattrick was promoted to president of the Interactive Entertainment Business, overseeing a range of consumer businesses including Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, Kinect, Music, and Video, as well as PC and mobile interactive entertainment.

In May 2012, Don Mattrick was named one of CNN Money's top 10 brilliant technology visionaries.

On May 21,2013, Don Mattrick unveiled the new Xbox One, the successor to the Xbox 360, an all-in-one entertainment system.

Don Mattrick left Microsoft on July 1,2013 to join Zynga as CEO and would eventually be replaced by Phil Spencer as Head of Xbox in 2014.

On July 1,2013, it was confirmed that Don Mattrick was leaving Microsoft to join social game company Zynga as CEO.