Microsoft Loses Game Exec to EA

"I have a huge belief that EA Sports can grow internationally, and Peter can help us by making it more accessible and taking it online," says Riccitiello. "We are in growth mode now."

Moore's move, though, could hurt Microsoft's gaming division.

As the president of the Xbox business, he has been one of the company's most visible executives. Moore gave Microsoft's keynote address at the E3 Business and Media Summit last week in Santa Monica, Calif.

His move also raises questions about the extent of Microsoft's problems with the Xbox 360. Microsoft said it will take a $1.05 billion to $1.15 billion pretax charge to extend the warranty on the console from a year to three years because of increasing consumer complaints about hardware failures.

While at Microsoft, Moore has consistently declined to reveal specifics about the cause or rate of failure for the console or how the company was trying to fix the problem.

Don Mattrick, a former president at EA, has been chosen to lead the interactive entertainment business at Microsoft, which includes overseeing the Xbox and Games for Windows operations.

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