Epic Games marketing chief leaves for Microsoft

Gears of War and Unreal Engine studio Epic Games will move forward without its top marketing person. Kendall Boyd has left the company after three years and will take on a similar role at Microsoft, where he will head up marketing efforts for the Halo brand.

"We can confirm that Kendall Boyd has joined Microsoft Studios as Director of Halo Global Marketing," A Microsoft spokesperson told Games Industry International. "We're thrilled to welcome him into the Halo fold, but have no other details to share at this time."

Boyd's exact title at Epic Games was director of marketing for worldwide studios. In the role, he oversaw the marketing of top-line franchises like Infinity Blade and Gears of War, as well as the Unreal Engine. Boyd was also responsible for establishing and maintaining marketing relationships with clients like Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Apple.

An Epic Games representative acknowledged Boyd's departure in a statement to Games Industry International, but did not detail its plans for the position moving forward.

Numerous high-profile personnel have left Epic Games in the past year, including design director Cliff Bleszinski, president Mike Capps, Gears of War executive producer Rod Fergusson, and People Can Fly co-owner and creative director Adrian Chmielarz.

Chinese Internet company revealed last month that it paid $330 million for 40 percent ownership of Epic Games and had appointed to representatives to the company's board.