Holtman spearheaded Valve's Steam business for eight years, and we all know how popular that became. Microsoft is clearly hungry for equal success in the PC space.
With most of Microsoft's focus on the Xbox One right now, this will no doubt come as relief to desktop gamers who might have felt pushed to the margins these past few months.
Speaking of which…
Just a day after we heard about Holtman's move, Microsoft announced it was closing down the Games for Windows Live marketplace. Is this the start of its initiative to offer a more seamless, less fragmented, games market experience?
We hope so. And perhaps some nice crossover with the Xbox One. After all, we now know that we'll be able to use the Xbox One controller on our PCs as of next year.
Can't Lego of the past
Not a day goes by where we don't wonder how awesome our consoles would look if they were built entirely of lego. But what we never stopped to consider was how much better they'd be if they could also transform into giant robots.
Thanks goodness that New York artist Baron Von Brunk is here to fill this gap in the market, with his range of insanely-cool lego transforming Nintendo 64 consoles and accessories. Check them out over at CVG.
Rayman springs back to life
We also had a chat with Emile Morel, the lead designer on Rayman Legends, who gave us a bit more of a glimpse into how the team approached designing for Nintendo's home console.
"When we started to work on the Wii U it was scary," he admitted. "I think its a bit like the first Wii... to do a good game, you have to go in a direction where you're only thinking about this console."
He also told us that the team had "a few crazy ideas" but only some of them made it to the final game. "I haven't seen any other games on the Wii U making as good use of the gamepad," he added. Even if he says so himself, we have to agree.
And on that note...we'll finish off with some hot links from around Future's network.
CVG
Is this the biggest ever shake-up of the Grand Theft Auto series? CVG breaks down GTA Online - and it sounds incredible.
"You guys know your sh*t!" CVG interview Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies about Grand Theft Auto Online.
GamesRadar
Let the fragging begin: Games Radar has all the Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer details.
"It just happens to be one of the greatest superhero games ever made." Click for GamesRadar's excellent Saints Row IV review.
Official Nintendo Magazine
Your one-stop shop for all things Pokemon X and Y Pokedex - New Pokemon
More Pokemon! Top 5 Pokemon Types - what would be on your list?
Official PlayStation Magazine
"A meaty stealth experience even bleeding heart liberals can't resist." Check out OPM's Splinter Cell PS3 review and gameplay video.
"It's a shame there's not more invention, because when Saints Row 4's missions do deliver, they do so spectacularly." Click for OPM's Saints Row 4 PS3 review and gameplay video
Official Xbox Magazine
Characters! Perks! Killstreaks! DLC! Plus COD's "biggest overhaul since the original Modern Warfare". OXM's full report on Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer.
A parent's guide: How to avoid cyber-bullying on Xbox Live, and what to do if you encounter it.
Total Film
Pass the tissues. It's time to undo years of therapy with 50 Movie Deaths That Ruined Our Childhoods.
It's fresh, shiny and full of film goodness. It's Total Film's new YouTube channel!
