Business Development
Ongoing coverage on Business Development.
Latest coverage
New Leadership Appointments and XBOX Division
Xbox has announced new leadership appointments within its division, including the creation of a new XP division focused on franchise experiences beyond gaming. Kayleen Walters will lead XP, while Maria Angelidou-Smith will become CEO of Mojang and Minecraft. Both appointments aim to strengthen community engagement and business development across Xbox's intellectual properties.
Jobs roundup: October | Code Wizards Group appoints Catherine Bygrave as head of commercial
Several key figures have moved into new roles within the games industry. Michał Platkow-Gilewski was promoted to VP of global communications and marketing at CD Projekt Red, while Catherine Bygrave was appointed head of commercial at Code Wizards Group. Other notable appointments include Daniel Smith as executive producer at Playground Games, Gero Micciché as lead producer at 2K and Hangar 13 Games, and Tymon Smektala as executive producer at Bloober Team's Broken Mirror Games.
Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show announces exhibitor lineup for 2026
Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show has revealed its exhibitor lineup for 2026, featuring major companies like Capcom, Bandai Namco, and The Pokémon Company, alongside Nintendo and PlayStation represented by partners. The event will also host over 70 speakers, including John Romero, who will receive a lifetime achievement award. Separately, a Valve bug has led to the accidental leak of achievement data for numerous unreleased and unannounced Steam games, including Fable, Persona 6, and Kingdom Hearts 4.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Amir Satvat joins 1Up Ventures as a general partner
This article rounds up recent personnel changes in the games industry, including Amir Satvat joining 1Up Ventures, Ilari Kuittinen stepping down from Housemarque, and Tamara Feiman appointed CEO of Lion Studios. It also notes new roles at Sega of America and Activision Blizzard for Call of Duty.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Fandom expands executive leadership team
Several companies in the gaming industry have announced executive appointments and promotions. Fandom expanded its leadership team with new hires and a promotion, while The New York Times appointed Jonathan Knight as chief games officer. Scopely saw two new appointments, and other companies like Arrowhead Game Studios, Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, King, CD Projekt Red, and Unity also announced new roles and promotions for their staff.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Asmodee appoints Brian Trunk as senior vice president, Route to Market for the Americas
This article rounds up recent appointments and transitions within the games industry. Notable moves include Brian Trunk joining Asmodee as senior vice president, David Scarborough becoming senior manager of EMEA communications at Blizzard Entertainment, and Ilari Kuittinen stepping down as managing director of Housemarque after 31 years. Several other individuals have taken on new roles at companies like CD Projekt Red, Epic Games, and Activision Blizzard.
UKIE launches Discord-backed Go To Market Academy, a business program to support early-stage indie devs
UKIE, in partnership with Discord and GameFlex, has launched the "Go To Market Academy," a business program designed to assist early-stage UK-based indie game studios. The program offers six online modules covering strategy, marketing, and community engagement via Discord, with industry guest speakers. It aims to help developers build sustainable audiences and communities for their games.
'Each event has to feel local and relevant to its market:' Gamescom wants responsible expansion after record-breaking year
Gamescom is focusing on responsible expansion after a record-breaking year, with its managing director Felix Falk emphasizing the need for local relevance in its global events. The conference aims to connect various industry stakeholders, including developers, publishers, and players, while supporting independent studios and fostering business opportunities.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | Tim Coombs rejoins Amazon as head of brand marketing for Luna
This article rounds up various industry hires and transitions in August 2026. Notable appointments include Tim Coombs rejoining Amazon as head of brand marketing for Luna, Dan Lazarides becoming Chief Marketing Officer at Frontier Developments, and Tracey Thompson returning to Bethesda as VP of Communications. Several other individuals have also moved into new roles across companies like Blizzard Entertainment, Netflix Games, and Riot Games.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | CodeDev Group appoints Ben Board as CEO of The Performance Guys
This article rounds up recent hires and promotions across the gaming industry. Key appointments include Ben Board as CEO of The Performance Guys, Nate Nanzer as EVP at Paramount Games, and Tracey Thompson returning to Bethesda as VP of communications. Several other companies like Epic Games, Amazon, and Microsoft also saw personnel changes.
London Games Festival moves to central venue for 2027 showcase
The London Games Festival will relocate its main program to the Business Design Centre starting in 2027 to enhance accessibility for international visitors and expand its professional offerings. Key events like the New Game Plus showcase and B2B Games Finance Market will be hosted there, while other cultural events will remain spread across the city. This move aims to solidify London's position as a global gaming capital.
Brazil Games Heads to gamescom 2026 with Expanded Presence Across Business and Indie Areas
Brazil Games, in partnership with Abragames and ApexBrasil, will have an expanded presence at gamescom 2026, showcasing Brazilian game development talent and business opportunities. The initiative will feature a dedicated pavilion in the Indie Area for emerging studios and a strong B2B presence to connect companies with international publishers and investors. The event aims to highlight Brazil's growing role in the global games industry, featuring original IPs and specialized development services.
Former Epic Games VP Steve Allison appointed chief business officer at Saber Interactive
Former Epic Games vice president Steve Allison has been appointed chief business officer at Saber Interactive, where he will oversee publishing, marketing, and revenue opportunities. Allison brings over thirty years of industry experience, including his work on the Epic Games Store. Saber Interactive was previously owned by Embracer before being sold to Beacon Interactive, a company founded by Saber's CEO Matthew Karch.
Saber Interactive Changes the Game by Adding Steve Allison as Chief Business Officer
Saber Interactive has appointed Steve Allison as its new Chief Business Officer, bringing over 30 years of industry experience from companies like Epic Games and Telltale Games. Allison will lead business development and strategy for Saber's upcoming titles, including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3, Jurassic Park: Survival, and a John Wick game.
NEOWIZ Appoints Chris Chung as Head of Global Business Group
NEOWIZ has appointed industry veteran Chris Chung as the Head of its Global Business Group to bolster its international publishing efforts. Chung brings extensive experience from companies like Wargaming and NCSOFT, where he managed global franchises and operations. This appointment is part of a larger company reorganization aimed at strengthening NEOWIZ's competitiveness and partnerships with developers worldwide.
Atari appoints Andreas Deptolla as president of Atari Europe
Atari has appointed Andreas Deptolla as the new president of Atari Europe. Deptolla, formerly the chief technology officer, aims to strengthen Atari's network of publishers, studios, and partners across the region. The company is also focused on expanding existing European studios and is open to strategic acquisitions while continuing to invest in talent and high-quality projects.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group
Several key personnel changes have occurred across the gaming industry. Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group, Dylan Beale is the new studio head at Larian Guildford, and Jonnie Bryant becomes communications director at Team17. Other notable moves include Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games and Nicholas Penwarden departing Epic Games after 15 years.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Robert Henrysson steps down as Supermassive Games CEO
Several key personnel changes have occurred in the gaming industry. Robert Henrysson has stepped down as CEO of Supermassive Games and partner at Nordisk Games. Christopher Serra joins Paramount Games as VP of business development and licensing, while Alexis Bonte departs as CEO of Stillfront. Nicholas Penwarden also leaves Epic Games after 15 years.
Taipei Game Show 2027 Opens Exhibitor Registration and Indie Game Award Submissions
Taipei Game Show 2027 has opened exhibitor registration and submissions for the Indie Game Award 2027. The event aims to connect global companies with the Asia-Pacific market, which accounts for 46% of the global video game industry. The show will feature B2B and B2C zones, an INDIE HOUSE, and a Board Game Wonderland, running from January 21-24, 2027.
Ulysses Graphics appoints Chief Business Officer, Claas Grimm, to strengthen its position as a leading AAA art partner
Ulysses Graphics has appointed Claas Grimm as its new Chief Business Officer to bolster its position as a AAA art partner. Grimm brings over 20 years of experience in business development and operations within the games industry, having previously worked with major companies like Activision and Tencent. The company, which has studios in Ukraine and Poland, aims to leverage Grimm's expertise to enhance its client experience and solidify its reputation for high-quality art production.
