bigparkI just read the news that Microsoft agrees to acquire a videogame start-up co-founded and partly owned by Don Mattrick, the executive who runs Microsoft’s videogame business.

BigPark was founded by Wil Mozell, Erik Kiss, Hanno Lemke and Don Mattrick before Mattrick assumed the role of senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. Mattrick’s role as an investor in BigPark was fully disclosed to Microsoft before he joined the company, and his ongoing involvement as chairman of BigPark was approved pursuant to the Microsoft Standards of Business Conduct.

The deal is complicated by the role of Mr. Mattrick, who leads Microsoft’s videogame efforts as senior vice president of the company’s interactive-entertainment business. He is also chairman and co-founder of BigPark and remains a minority shareholder in the company.

Mr. Dennis said:

The team was blown away by the creativity and talent of folks at the studio,

We think the game they’re working on is going to be a hit.

Mr. Mattrick co-founded BigPark several years ago after leaving Electronic Arts. Microsoft said Mr. Mattrick disclosed his investment in BigPark to the company before they hired him to run Microsoft’s videogame business two years ago. His position as chairman of BigPark was approved by the company pursuant to Microsoft’s standard of business conduct, Microsoft said in a statement.

Phil Spencer, general manager, Microsoft Game Studios said:

We are delighted by the opportunity to welcome the BigPark team into Microsoft Game Studios,

The team is composed of some of the most experienced and creative minds working in the industry today. The combination of the BigPark and Microsoft Game Studios talent pools will be an accelerant for growth and innovation. We believe BigPark has tremendous potential to create new properties and innovative gaming experiences for our platforms, one of which we’re looking forward to showcasing at the E3 Expo in June.