San Rafael, CA, December 4, 2012 – Electrified Games ( www.electrifiedgames.com), a leading independent developer of mobile and online games, today announced that Jonathan Epstein has been named as chief executive officer of the company. Epstein has previously served as chairman of the board of the company, and has been working in an executive role at the company since May of this year.

A developer of award-winning games for more than twenty years, Electrified Games is expanding its operations from its foundation of work-for-hire business to the development of original mobile games. The company was recently named by mobile gaming industry powerhouse ngmoco as one of its key third-party partners for an upcoming title to be deployed on the Mobage platform. Electrified is also co-developing a mobile title that will be launched in India and other markets in January of next year, and expects to launch two other original mobile titles in Q1 of 2013.

Electrified has developed or designed more than forty different titles across multiple platforms since its formation, for leading publishers including Wizards of the Coast, Disney Mobile, Sony Online Entertainment, Electronic Arts, and leading brands such as VISA, Sports Illustrated Kids, and others. The Electrified team has won numerous awards and recognitions for their work as independent game developers.

Epstein joined Electrified to help the company move aggressively into the creation of original IP, and was integral in forming its new distribution partnerships. As CEO, he succeeds company founder Andrew Leker, who as president will continue to oversee Electrified’s development studios.

Epstein has held numerous leadership positions in the games industry. He was the founding CEO of GameSpot, which transformed the landscape for gaming media and remains a major destination and brand more than fifteen years later. As president of GameSpy Industries, he played an integral role in tripling the company’s revenues and positioning it for its purchase by IGN Entertainment, where he then served as EVP and General Manager of the company’s media properties. Epstein then joined United Talent Agency to help spearhead the formation of their digital media practice. He then served as CEO of the in-game advertising company Double Fusion, and prior to joining Electrified was president of Omek Interactive, managing all sales, marketing, and business development for the gesture recognition technology company.

“The opportunity for great game designers and developers, in the mobile and social games markets, has never been better,” said Andrew Leker, Electrified Games’ founder, “and we now have a world-class leader to help us realize our growth plans. Jon’s been working with Electrified Games in various capacities for more than 7 years, and I couldn’t be happier to finally have him in our CEO seat.”

Electrified Games is based in San Rafael, California, about 20 minutes north of San Francisco.

For more information on Electrified Games, please visit us at www.electrifiedgames.com 

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