MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
GAME Digital has announced Monday that Craig Fletcher will be leaving the company at the end of 2017.
Fletcher joined GAME back in 2015 when they company acquired Multiplay, which Fletcher founded, for £20m.
Multiplay itself was founded in May 1997, and Craig was the boss there until 2016, when he was promoted to a role as GAME’s senior vice president for esports and competitive gaming strategy. Fletcher’s departure, at a time when GAME is positioning its business towards esports and its Belong computer lounges, areas Fletcher has extensive experience in.
The Multiplay name, and the company’s online server business, was sold off to Unity for £19m just last month, with the company absorbing Multiplay’s events and esports aspects into GAME. At the time, the retailer confirmed Fletcher would be remaining with GAME Digital, and indeed the split doesn’t appear to be total: a press release announcing the news says that Fletcher will "formally leave his full time role [at GAME] at the end of 2017. Craig will continue to support the company’s esport aspirations and development of Insomnia over the months and years ahead whilst formally leaving at the end of December."
GAME’s CEO Martyn Gibbs added: "I’d like to personally say a massive thank you to Craig for the energy, fun and vision he has brought to our business, and of course for the support and friendship that will continue way beyond today."
"We are making good progress with our Belong, esports and competitive gaming strategy. Results from our Belong arenas and activities are encouraging, our arena competitive gaming tournament, Arena Clash, is now fully operational and the recently announced partnership with Activision for Call of Duty: World League at Insomnia demonstrates our unique ability to deliver through all elements of esports and competitive gaming.”
Andy Dopson, currently the company’s head of belong, will be taking over Fletcher’s role, assuming the title of head of esports and belong, overseeing all of the company’s esports activities. Dopson will report directly to Gibbs in the new role.
