Providence, RI – March 15, 2012 – 38 Studios today announced that it has made two appointments to its executive team based at the company’s Providence, RI headquarters. John Blakely has joined the company as senior vice-president of development and Mark Hansen takes the role of senior vice-president of operations & business.
Prior to joining 38 Studios, John was general manager of Zynga Austin. He also previously served as vice-president of development at Sony Online Entertainment, where he oversaw development of several massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, including DC Universe Online and EverQuest II.
As senior vice-president of development John will oversee game development at 38 Studios’ offices in Providence, RI and at Big Huge Games in Baltimore, MD.
Before coming on board at 38 Studios, Mark was senior director of Playwell Studios, where he oversaw the online game business, development, and operations for LEGO Systems Inc. While at Playwell, he lead the development, launch, and operation of the LEGO Universe MMO.
As senior vice-president of business operations, Mark will run the company’s publishing efforts, including operational services, marketing, and business development.
38 Studios subsidiary Big Huge Games recently shipped acclaimed console/PC game Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning™, which was published by Electronic Arts on February 7, 2012. Reckoning is the first step in 38 Studios’ efforts to bring the world of Amalur to life, with 38 Studios’ Providence, RI team hard at work on an unannounced MMO game set in the same universe and more announcements to come.
“From its founding, 38 Studios has always been about team,” said Curt Schilling, founder and chairman of 38 Studios. “I am proud to add these two team-focused and incredibly accomplished leaders to the 38 Studios roster. Between EverQuest, EverQuest II, DC Universe Online and LEGO Universe, both John and Mark have had a decade of experience, and success, in the MMO space and I’m excited they are now part of the 38 Studios family.”
About 38 Studios
38 Studios, LLC, an entertainment and IP creation company founded in 2006 by Curt Schilling, is developing an original fantasy IP driven by the creative and artistic visions of pop-culture icons R. A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane. Entertainment products will include a massively multiplayer online game, novels, comics, toys, console games, movies, TV, and more.
For more information, visit www.38studios.com.
