Shacknews reports that longtime Nintendo programmer Colin Reed has left the company for a position at Microsoft. Reed worked at Nintendo for 11 years, during which time he served in many key programming roles, including technical lead on Metroid Prime: Hunters (DS) and main system programmer for Pikmin (Gamecube).

According to the site, he will join the team behind Forza Motorsport at Microsoft. Before leaving Nintendo, Reed worked on an undisclosed project with NST.

Shacknews also points out that this marks the latest high-profile departure from Nintendo, whose subsidiary Retro Studios lost three pivotal staff members in April.