In an attempt to gain an edge over free-to-play gaming competitors, Tokyo-based game publisher Nexon has signed publishing deals with several startups recently, including Rumble Entertainment. Nexon’s not done investing, though, and it’s adding some big names to its roster of partners. Nexon announced Tuesday that it obtained worldwide publishing and marketing rights to a free-to-play shooter, code-named BlueStreak, the first title from startup Boss Key Productions. Nexon has also acquired a minority stake in Boss Key Productions as part of the deal.
Boss Key’s CEO is Cliff Bleszinski, a longtime designer for Epic Games who left the company two years ago along with a legacy of well-liked franchises like Jazz Jackrabbit, Unreal Tournament and Gears of War.
In addition to Bleszinski, some other distinguishable names set to be published by Nexon include EA and Zynga veteran John Schappert’s Shiver Entertainment; former EA Partners exec and BioWare CEO Greg Richardson’s Rumble Entertainment; and former Zynga game designer Brian Reynolds’s SecretNewCo. However none of these names have the recognition Bleszinski has, which may prove to be even more of a bonus for Nexon than it is for Boss Key.
In addition, Bleszinski recently announced on his Twitter, which has close to a quarter-million followers, that he will founding Boss Key alongside Guerrilla Games founder Arjan Brussee, who also worked on Jazz Jackrabbit. Bleszinski has also made an effort to make clear that Epic retains the rights to their previous collaboration.
Source: GamesIndustry International
