Jim Ward leaves LucasArts

Kotaku is reporting that LucasArts president Jim Ward will be leaving the company in a matter of weeks.

Ward, who joined LucasArts in 1997 and was promoted to president in 2004, recently steered the developer/publisher through significant operational changes.

In a pre-prepared statement for Kotaku, Ward wrote: "I am so proud of all people and the work we’ve done together at LucasArts over the last four years. It’s been an incredible experience. Together we’ve rebooted the company and set LucasArts on a path to even greater success. This is a fantastic team and they are positioned for their best year ever."

The official LucasArts word is that Ward is leaving for personal reasons, although no other information was divulged.

Margaret Grohne, PR for game development at Lucas Film, added: "We are starting a search for a new president and in the transition Howard Roffman, president of Lucas Licensing, will be stepping in. He has been with the company for over 25 years and very intimately connected with the games business. "

"We are sorry to see him go. He’s been with the Lucas film organization for over 10 years and he has definitely contributed quite a bit to our organization."

Ward was set to speak at DICE but LucasArts has confirmed that he will not be in attendance.