MLB: The Show is widely regarded as the best sports video game available.

The developer's spent the past 15 years climbing the corporate ladder at SCEA, starting out as a lowly tester and later becoming a key figure in MLB: The Show's rise to prominence. Sadly, now he's leaving SCEA to take up a position as creative director at EA Sports.

Launchbaugh's main role will be to oversee development of the Madden franchise, fulfilling the vacancy left by Ian Cummings earlier in the year. He'll officially start work at EA on January 9th.

[source joystiq.com]