Jagex hires top US guns for mobile games launches

mike.scialom@iliffemedia.co.uk

Published: 11:05, 21 August 2018

Nick Beliaeff has been named senior vice president of game development at Jagex

Runescape mobile on target for later in year

Rob Cordero, vice president of technology, at Jagex

Jagex has taken on two big hitters as it prepares to launch mobile versions of global games successes Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and regular RuneScape this year.

Nick Beliaeff, a former Trion Worlds and Sony Online Entertainment executive, has been named senior vice president of game development and Rob Cordero, previously of ZeniMax Online Studios and NCSoft, becomes vice president of technology.

The two seasoned US games industry executives will report to CEO Phil Mansell, who said: “Jagex continues to introduce senior talent to support our growth plans and our vision to become the home of living games.

“Both Nick and Rob were attracted to Jagex by that vision and the scale of our ambition.

“Nick is recognised as a veteran games development leader and brings expertise in MMO (massively multi-player online) games and PC, console and mobile production.

“Rob is a passionate technical leader, with a great track record in building and delivering vast online technical infrastructures and platforms in online gaming. Together, their experience reflects a similar scope to Jagex’s ambitions of a broader portfolio of living games.”

Nick said: “I’m super excited to join Jagex and the team working on RuneScape, one of the most iconic online game franchises of the past two decades.”

“This is a thoroughly exciting time to join the Jagex team and lead its technology strategy as we grow our portfolio of living games,” said Rob.

Jagex, who are avid fans of the wider gaming community, is building mobile versions that will enjoy full cross-platform compatibility with the desktop version. Users would be able to enjoy a full set of features via the mobile app. “Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape mobile are progressing well – the former is currently running in closed beta, while OSRS mobile is available in a ‘members-only beta’ on Android,” said Jagex senior communications manager Jon Wilcox.