Shane Kim, the former head of Microsoft"s game business, is now a member of the board of directors at GameStop. The company announced Kim"s appointment today via a press release. Kim previously worked at Microsoft for 19 years with the majority of his time in the company"s Interactive Entertainment Business division. He retired from Microsoft at the end of 2009. Since then, GameStop has said Kim has been "actively advised several technology and digital media companies."
In announcing Kim"s appointment today to the board of director"s, Dan DeMatteo, the executive chairman of GameStop, stated, "His broad video game knowledge and business experience will bring valuable insight in supporting the advancement of GameStop"s digital strategy."
Kim took over as the head of Microsoft Game Studios (now known simply as Microsoft Studios) in 2004. During his time as head of the division, Kim helped to lead Microsoft"s Xbox, Xbox 360 and PC first and third party game publishing efforts on titles like Fable, Halo 2 and Halo 3, the first two Gears of War games, the first game in the Mass Effect series and more. In 2008, Kim was promoted by Microsoft to become its vice-president of strategy and business development for the company"s Interactive Entertainment division.
DeMatteo"s mention of Kim helping in the "advancement of GameStop"s digital strategy" likely means that Kim will be assisting GameStop in its growing efforts in downloadable games. Earlier this year GameStop purchased the Impulse PC game download service and its client download technology from Stardock.