QA firm recruits games industry veteran UK studio recruits designers, producers and programmers Former EA Playfish exec heads up new King.com London studio
VMC GAME LABS l QA specialist VMC Game Labs has hired games sector veteran BEN WIBBERLEY.
Wibberley, who founded firms such as including Babel and the William Rubin Agency, joins as director of games. “Ben brings a rare combination of entrepreneurship and experience from the video games world, having helped shape where the industry is today, with an eye on where it is going,”
said KEVIN CHELIUS, vice president at VMC. “We’re glad to have Ben help drive our growth here at VMC.” “Ben’s leadership in the video games industry enables VMC Game Labs to offer even more value in a complete, end-to-end support solution for developers and publishers across platforms and mobile,” added Linda Lemieux, VMC’s director of games QA and support. “He’s an important addition to our rapidly growing organisation.”
NDREAMS l UK studio nDreams, a leading developer of PlayStation Home content, has hired five new staff members. JOE DALE (far left) joins the team as digital product manager. He is a freelance games writer
that has previously worked at agencies EHS 4D, Room 68 and EMO. JACKIE TETLEY (second from left) takes on the role of game designer, having held similar design roles at well-known UK studios such as Rebellion, SCEE and Kuju. CARLA RYLANCE (above in middle) joins as art outsource co-ordinator. She previously worked at Red Redemption as art manager. nDreams has hired DAVID FARRELL (second from right) as programmer. He gained experience at Attractive Games, WMS and Asylum Entertainment. Finally, BEN EVANS (above right)takes on a new full-time position as producer, having worked as a contractor for nDreams two years ago. He has also served at Razorback and Torus Games. “nDreams is expanding on the back of our first external investment, and I’m delighted to welcome so many talented new people on board,” said CEO PATRICK O’LUANAIGH.
“It’s exciting to be building a marketing, PR and community team as we continue to spend more of our time publishing original IP.”
KING.COM l The social games giant has recruited former EA and Playfish producer CATHARINA LAVERS MALLET to head up its new London studio.
She leaves her most recent position as executive producer at Electronic Arts. Prior to this, Mallet held the same role at Playfish, joining EA when the social games firm was acquired by the leading publisher.
She will now oversee the creation of the London studio, which is expected to eventually employ over 40 people.