A team of industry veterans has united to bring back video game publisher Acclaim after more than two decades, the company announced. It will be led by games industry veteran Alex Josef, who has more than two decades of experience marketing and publishing hundreds of games.
Originally founded in 1987, the newly reborn Acclaim will support independent developers, as well as “reignite” classic franchises, providing resources such as funding, marketing, and public relations supports to give independent studios the opportunity to bring their games to a wider audience.
“It’s an absolute honor and pleasure to be leading the charge in bringing Acclaim back to the forefront of the games industry,” said Josef in a press release. “We’re fortunate that we have an extremely talented team and that we’ve already signed some incredible indie titles, which we’ll be revealing soon.”
In order to “resurrect and revitalize its beloved portfolio of classic [intellectual property],” Acclaim has assembled an advisory board comprised of industry leaders including Russell Binder at Striker Entertainment, Mark Caplan at Ridge Partners, and Jeff Jarrett at Global Force Entertainment.
“For more than three decades, I’ve had the privilege to have been a part of both the wrestling and gaming universes, and I’m thrilled to now be a partner in the revival of Acclaim, an iconic publisher known for releasing some of the most legendary games of the ’80s and ’90s,” said Jarrett. “From my early involvement with the publisher’s hit 16-bit WWF titles to my experience helping shape the TNA Wrestling series, which spawned the first video game wrestler to become a full-time roster member in the Squared Circle, I’ve seen firsthand the type of impact great games can have on players and fans. Resurrecting Acclaim is an opportunity to impart the same degree of passion and love to a new generation, and I’m excited to be involved.”
Acclaim’s growth strategy is further supported by VaynerFund partner Phil Toronto and JET Management partner Eric Vogel, whose expertise in investment and management will help “foster an environment ripe for nurturing independent developers and driving long-term success.”