Robbie Bach and J Allard may not be household names to everyone, but for Xbox and gaming fans, they carry some weight. The two were instrumental in bringing the Xbox to life and now it seems both are ready to pursue other endeavors. As reported by Gamasutra, Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division is undergoing some restructuring with several key staff members either leaving the company entirely or assuming new roles. This division includes Microsoft’s Zune product line and Windows Phones in addition to the Xbox and gaming products. It’s been a profitable staple for Microsoft as of late and most recently reported profits to the… zune of $165 million. Oh ho ho!

As for the two Xbox pioneers, Mr. Bach is leaving the company after 22 years of service in order to spend “more time [with] his family and his nonprofit work with groups such as the Boys & Girls Club of America.” Meanwhile, J Allard will become an advisor to company CEO Steve Ballmer. Allard has been with the company for 19 years.

This actually saddens me a bit as it is likely that without both men, the Xbox may not have made it into production. If you’re interested in the story of how Microsoft’s gaming machine came to be, I highly recommend reading the book Opening the Xbox by Dean Takahashi. It is an incredible story filled with suspense, set-backs and ultimately triumph that will keep you enthralled from start to finish.