1UP goes for two-fer, hints that Shane Kim is leaving MS
by Justin McElroy 
{ Nov 19th 2007 at 11:30AM }
Last week, Shane Bettenhausen caused an internet uproar, an e-debacle if you will, when he hinted that an anticipated Microsoft first-party title would soon be canceled. The title turned out to be Marvel Universe Online, and while it hasn't been officially canceled, it sounds like production is at a standstill. The second, less sexy part of the rumor: A top Microsoft exec is on the way out. The 1UP team tossed out another hint about the possibly-soon-to-be-departed on this week's episode of the 1UP Yours podcast.Towards the end of the show while the topic was being discussed, host Garnett Lee asked guest host N'Gai Croal, "Do you watch any Nickelodeon like Something Possible?". If you're not as adept with afternoon TV trivia as we are, allow us to drop some knowledge: He's talking about Kim Possible. And that points squarely at Microsoft Games Studios boss Shane Kim. We have no substantiation for the rumor save for 1UP's own credibility, but that's nothing to sneeze at. We'll keep you posted.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hvnlysoldr @ Nov 19th 2007 11:38AM
I'd like to correct this. Kim Possible is Disney not Nickelodeon.
gonk @ Nov 19th 2007 11:42AM
who cares
JonFitt @ Nov 19th 2007 11:50AM
Whoa there! Hold the phone, stop the presses, halt the execution: Garnett Lee was inaccurate about something!?!
:)
We all got what he meant. It's an irrelevant distinction anyway.
upz @ Nov 19th 2007 12:04PM
I can honestly say that I'm proud I didn't know that.
Intentless @ Nov 19th 2007 12:16PM
If you read penny arcade you should know that as well. They have mentioned that the artist from Kim Possible is the inspiration for the art style they use and have givin him props on occasion.
hvnlysoldr @ Nov 19th 2007 12:22PM
I've been hit with Deja Vu. I feel that I also corrected the last time Shane Kim was hinted at with Kim Possible and corrected that she's Disney.
Viridium @ Nov 19th 2007 11:48AM
I care. She's hot!
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 19th 2007 11:53AM
In that 16 year old cartoon with a mustache sort of way.
Viridium @ Nov 19th 2007 11:55AM
Hey when you're that hot, you can live with a little lipular forestation.
Akamaru @ Nov 19th 2007 11:56AM
Well that's what happens when you run a divison of company that is used to making money and continue to lose money every year. Someone has to get the blame. Moore bailed before they could pin it on him so poor Shane here gets the axe.
deaftly @ Nov 19th 2007 12:06PM
Shane works for Sony?
Intentless @ Nov 19th 2007 12:08PM
Well, seeing as Microsoft's gaming division is finally turning a profit, which I believe is within the projections of when they were planning on turning a profit, it doesn't seem logical to let someone go for that specific reason. If he is being let go it would be for some other reason, or he could be leaving on his own accord, if it is even him.
Undead Priest @ Nov 19th 2007 12:08PM
1Up has credibility?
severian00 @ Nov 19th 2007 12:19PM
I can see this happening, it looks like they are getting rid of anyone that was a gamer. Replacing them with people like Jeff Bell. It's starting to worry me. So far they've gotten rid of J Allard (to the Zune team), Peter Moore, and now Shane Kim. Hopefully they don't switch their focus and start bleading us gamers dry.
hvnlysoldr @ Nov 19th 2007 12:23PM
They haven't already?
Rask @ Nov 19th 2007 12:27PM
Shane Kim was Peter Moore's guy. Now that Moore is gone, New guy is going to be putting in his people on top jobs.
Happens in every organisation when leadership changes.
Chris @ Nov 19th 2007 12:31PM
Yep. He's right. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if he turned up at EA with Moore.
Jtenma @ Nov 19th 2007 12:45PM
EMM, EEE, AAYYYCCH...
This story is full of MEH.
Grant @ Nov 19th 2007 12:56PM
i think i speak for everyone when i say:
"Who?"
Craig Ravitch @ Nov 19th 2007 1:02PM
Well being that Shane "The Sony Suck A$$" from 1up broke the anti MS story, I would have only half heartedly believed it, but it would'nt suprise me at all. Anyway who really cares who's running the show. We all saw this happen to Sony, and a ton of big time Nintendo Exces. left after they wouldn't be relocated. No big deal, the 360 will survive just fine!!
severian00 @ Nov 19th 2007 1:07PM
The difference with Nintendo was that it was their PR arm, not their president or vp in charge of the platform. As for Sony, Kuturagi had lost all touch with reality and it showed in how he disrespected Stringer and the rest of the company. PR people come and go, it's when it is major heads of developement for a platform that you need to worry, and that's what's happening at MS.
organic_shadow @ Nov 19th 2007 2:09PM
So can we end all the doom n gloom commenting anytime a Sony employee leaves now that we see that everyone goes through changes in management etc.?
glassairports @ Nov 19th 2007 4:36PM
In the past couple months, Microsoft has gotten rid of most of its first party developers. Bungie was huge, but they also closed shop on FASA, and although technically not 1st party, the buyout of bioware/Pandemic to EA, and Bizzare to Activision, stand as pretty substantial losses given their exclusive support of the xbox system for some time.
Moore's departure to EA, along with the transfer/loss of Kim and Allard.
The billion dollar failure rate of the 360.
If you ask me, all signs point to Microsoft getting out of the console business.
That's right, I'm almost certain we won't be seeing an Xbox 720.
I also predict that EA's recent buyouts of every third party developer in existance, points to EA planning on having a go in the console game.
There game exclusivity alone would destroy all competitors.
I don't think it was a coincidence that they hired Moore.
He launched Dreamcast, and Xbox, he's now been hired to launch EA's first console in the next few years
Mark my words, this industry will be looking at a new console leader in the near future. Unfortunately, that leader will be EA.
They will bring the same monopolization, they brought to the football genre.
All competition will cease to exist, and all we'll be left with is a lazy, money hungry corporation with no soul or interest in pushing the medium forward.
The ENd is Nigh!
why not the LS2/LS7? @ Nov 19th 2007 11:35PM
Sony and MS are going to lose a lot of money on 360/PS3. They're locked in a death struggle and they're squeezing all the profits out.
But I dunno if I see MS dropping out of the console market yet. Things looked bleak after the original Xbox and MS hung in. 360 is doing better, even if it isn't making money.
why not the LS2/LS7? @ Nov 19th 2007 11:33PM
I wouldn't blame Kim for leaving.
MGS (Microsoft Game Studios) is doing very poorly right now and MS seems to be adding to the problem by firing poeple from the division rather rapidly.
It can't be a pleasant place to work right now.
MS is getting great 2nd/3rd party support right now, so the lack of success by MGS isn't really hurting the platform much.