Bill Gates stepping down in 2008

  • By Scott Ard, News.com
  • Posted Jun 15, 2006 10:01 pm GMT

Microsoft founder immediately leaving role of chief software architect, phasing out chairman duties over two years.

From News.com

Bill Gates is transitioning out of his full-time role at Microsoft, the software giant that's been under pressure due to a sagging stock price, competition from Google, and nagging delays in the Vista operating system.

In a press conference held Thursday after the stock markets had closed for regular trading, Gates announced that over the next two years he will gradually step away from his daily responsibilities at the company he cofounded some 30 years ago.

Microsoft's chief technical officer Ray Ozzie will immediately assume the title of chief software architect, Gates said. In addition, chief technical officer Craig Mundie will immediately take the new title of chief research and strategy officer and will assume Gates' responsibilities for the company's research and incubation efforts.

"Our business and technical leadership has never been stronger, and Microsoft is well-positioned for success in the years ahead," Gates said in a release. "I feel very fortunate to have such great technical leaders like Ray and Craig at the company," Gates said. "I remain fully committed and full-time at Microsoft through June 2008 and will be working side-by-side with Ray and Craig to ensure that a smooth transition occurs."

505 Comments

  • Darkblyth

    Posted May 27, 2008 12:26 pm GMT

    ok so then bill now all you need to do is to make an Console with sony and then you beat the wii

  • Unr3al39

    Posted Jun 1, 2007 11:33 pm GMT

    @ GarraZanta: Actually.... I calculated it and that would only be spending about 17 billion in the next 49 years, compared to his total net worth of approximately 56 billion. It's not exaggerated at all, as hard as that is to believe.

  • conti027

    Posted Jan 22, 2007 11:39 am GMT

    man thats lame. Hopfully Mircosoft wont go down cause i love them

  • thestrateger

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 5:20 am GMT

    it is sad to hear that

  • stu576

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 2:47 pm GMT

    i dont thing he should step down he doing great im a big bill gates and microsoft fan and also i love nintendo

  • GaaraZanta

    Posted Jun 24, 2006 12:33 am GMT

    "Why shouldn't he step down, he could spend a million dollars a day until he's a hundred and not run out of money...."

    A little bit exaggerated but yeah, I forgot who stated this.

  • rhcpvisigoth

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 3:57 pm GMT

    Bill leaving? Good for Windows, bad for the 360. I sort of grew up watching him screw Windows over and over again, but I also grew up watching him make the 360 and the original Xbox. Kinda sad that he's leaving. Unexpected... let's see what Ballmer does to the company now.

  • thefting_kill

    Posted Jun 21, 2006 10:52 pm GMT

    Well here may lue a very big change for Microsoft. Woo?

  • TorugotoShinsan

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 5:27 pm GMT

    Hey does this mean that games that are worth playing will come out of the 360? If so then I'll have a good excuse to buy all three next-gens ^_^

  • AceCometh

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 12:45 pm GMT

    This is rather sudden! I agree with those who say this is good for Microsoft. New faces mean new ideas.

  • magicdude07

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 12:40 pm GMT

    Heh...Maybe it's because he got an apple computer

  • skitzocyko

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:41 am GMT

    HAIL THE 360!!!

  • Pastehunter

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 3:19 am GMT

    Halleluja , hopefully MS will die .

  • jsnepo

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 1:30 am GMT

    It was told that he will be working with Sony to create the Xstation and the I-Pod killer, PSPod.

    Silly joke, I know.

  • soulbreakerx

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 12:28 am GMT

    no gates nooo, please don't leave Microsoft!

  • Fiku42

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 10:53 pm GMT

    yep i already heard about him stepping down yesterday. ............ o well hes rich

  • myDboys

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 7:51 pm GMT

    If I thot about it I kood git rich to or gor rich then BILL gates

  • sitgom

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 4:12 pm GMT

    Its about time. I mean how rich can someone get.

  • Terragimmip

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 12:22 pm GMT

    While it is a shock that he's leaving Microsoft, at least we can be assured he's still committed to bettering the world through philanthropic means.

  • reece590

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 7:37 am GMT

    Thats sad but I am happy that he is going on to do something he likes just as much as being the Pres of M$.....Charity work....Good for him...

  • rootATdarkstar

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 11:30 pm GMT

    I wonder why he announced it now, instead of at a larger gathering (e3 comes to mind) or perhaps at a Microsoft function instead of just randomly... hrmm

  • GhostStalkerX1

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 9:29 pm GMT

    Well see ya Bill, good luck in the outside world.

  • gaby1025

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 9:23 pm GMT

    leaving so soon is he?..lik a billion yrs later

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 9:04 pm GMT

    i hate this guy.

  • Gohanmohan

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 2:54 pm GMT

    YO GAMESPOT! Why don't you mention the fact that he's gonna work for the charity foundation he set up with his wife?! Shame on you to conceal such a good natured person's deeds! It's blasphemy I tell you, BLASPHEMY!

  • TomJD1990

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 2:30 pm GMT

    he is steping down at microsoft so he can now take up the full time role of leader of the world mwahaha gatesy you rock! cheers for everything (360 + Windows) and go and enjoy your hard earned money

  • Tranceplant

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 10:34 am GMT

    In 2008: The end of an era.
    Finally.

  • LordAbyssion

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 10:30 am GMT

    YAHOO!!

  • rvinsc

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 8:29 am GMT

    MS will fall

  • shazaila

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 8:08 am GMT

    I couldn't careless, and i'm pretty sure he doesn't either. We all know how damn rich he is.

  • gagan21

    Posted Jun 17, 2006 2:29 am GMT

    Thanks a lot 4 giving us good all master chief , the xbox , xbox 360 , windows .Bill Gates is one of the geniuses of the last century and our century. without these these kinds of people, we wont get all of these good things in our livez, thanks a lot sir , we really appreciate 4 what u did 4
    us gamers, thanks 4 the memories and have a great life
    Live a million years Bill

  • Ghost_Warrior

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 9:30 pm GMT

    Well considering he makes $250 bucks a second, I'd say he doesn't need to work anymore. But what amazing things hes done, hopefully they will continue once hes gone.

  • Shtinky

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 8:07 pm GMT

    Microsoft's stranglehold on the operating system market are finally coming to a close, I hope this is the beginning of the end for MS.

  • Cloud2145

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 7:48 pm GMT

    For some reason I just don't care.

  • CassiusVII

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 7:46 pm GMT

    Wish I could get his job

  • viking8813

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 6:13 pm GMT

    Bout time. If I had his cash I wouldnt be working everyday. Ill be living it up.

  • ace244

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 4:50 pm GMT

    i read this a few days ago, this place really is late on news, anyway the reason he stepped down is because he finally made a money bin like mr. scrooge had in duck tales. and he wants to go swimming more often in his googleplex of pennies

  • Randomd00d

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 4:09 pm GMT

    wow.. you now this is just wow...

    my mac freind will be glad to hear this though.

  • maaly81

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 4:08 pm GMT

    President I mean--dam this AMerican Education!!!

  • maaly81

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 4:08 pm GMT

    Good, now a balck man can become Pesident of the UNited States

  • nev70

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 3:59 pm GMT

    YEAH ITS JUST A SHAME STEVE JOBS WAS JUST LAME WHEN IT CAME TO BUSINESS,GOOD IDEAS NEED TO BE SOLD , WOULD STEVE JOBS HAVE MS AT THE SAME POINT? I DOUBT IT VERY MUCH

  • FortuneC00kie

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 3:31 pm GMT

    90% of the money he made from stealing Steve Job's ideas

    = )

  • tr00pa_26

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 3:27 pm GMT

    he shouldnt there wouldnt be a company without him

  • Raeget

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 3:20 pm GMT

    He's just stepping down so he can have more time to plan for world domination.

  • nev70

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 2:53 pm GMT

    Some people are so small minded Bill Gates gives $1 BILLION AWAY TO CHARITY PER YEAR, he currently gives more away to Aids charitys than the U.S. goverment does.However people dont like his business practice you have got to give him some respect.HE has said hinself that he plans to give 90% of his personel fortune away .

  • Manatassi

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 2:43 pm GMT

    Heh well he had to retire some time, its not like he's short on cash or anything.

  • jono128

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 2:25 pm GMT

    That's huge news. As much crap as people give to Microsoft, Mr. Gates really helped make it into the massive company that it is today.

  • Psiphor

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 2:24 pm GMT

    I heard he's taking a lesser role with Microsoft so that he can concentrate on his charitible work. Did you all know that in the last financial year, Mr Gate's foundation donated some $6 billion... ! That's more than some entire countries donate. And he's told his kids they've got to earn their own fortunes! (Though I doubt they'll want for anything)

    Good on ya Bill... Keep up the good work in whatever business you target. Hope your successors continue and perhaps better the job you've done with Microsoft.

  • cardiac_cat

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 2:23 pm GMT

    Thanks now only if he would take that mistake.... uh i think its called xbox?... with him

  • shamarke

    Posted Jun 16, 2006 2:16 pm GMT

    wow!!!

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