So I was on holiday in Cornwall last week while my interview with Peter Moore was being picked up by news sources around the world - and creating something of a stir. I knew it was good stuff and I'm glad so many people enjoyed it.
One thing. I didn't tell EA or Peter that I was planning to run the transcript in its entirety on this site - I'm sure you can guess the reasons. EA have reacted very favourably and with considerable understanding. However, Peter has asked if I run a final word from him, which I think - under the circumstances - is entirely fair.
So here's Peter, closing off on an extremely interesting and candid interview...
"I am so fortunate to have been part of this industry at a time of technological advances that have changed the way we all play games. I am especially fortunate to have spent 4½ exhilarating years at Microsoft, working with some of the most passionate, smartest people I have ever had the honour and privilege of working with. I guess you have to work there to truly appreciate what a unique and special company Bill and Steve have built, and I think gamers need to fully appreciate the positive impact that the Xbox consoles, and in particular Xbox Live, have had on our industry. I worked with a team of people so special and so near and dear to my heart, that not a day goes by where I don't miss them in some way. Same with our studios – the flair and creativity of Rare, the sheer brilliance and focus of Bungie, the game-changing team at Lionhead, and all of the other brilliantly-talented teams that helped drive hardware sales with great software.
"Microsoft changed the world of enterprise and communications with Windows, and when all is done and dusted, I know the same will be said of the world of entertainment because of Xbox. The company is too focused, the people too smart, to achieve anything less, and I feel incredibly proud to be a tiny part of that legacy.
"And as I've said on numerous occasions, as hard as it was for me to leave a place so near and dear to me, EA SPORTS was the one and only job that could have ever pulled me away from Redmond. To my delight, I've found a place, in EA, that also has made an indelible impact on this industry and a brand, in EA SPORTS, that has had extraordinary success, an incredible impact and that has such a bright future that sometimes I feel like the luckiest guy alive. But we're not perfect. We've got our sleeves rolled up with a lot of work ahead to meet the vision I have for us to fundamentally change the way people from around the world engage in sports and sports entertainment."
