Acclaim Entertainment, which left an indelible footprint on the childhood of many throughout the latter part of the 80s and early 90s, was known as a leading publisher that managed licensing for video games across a broad range of intellectual properties. Video games such as Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, Double Dragon, Turok, The Simpsons, and a series of Marvel titles including Captain America and The Avengers and Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage, to name but a few, bear Acclaim’s signature. They were also responsible for a set of WWF video games, spanning from WWF WrestleMania to WWF Royal Rumble, WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game, WWF War Zone and beyond.
Acclaim hit a rough patch in 2004 and declared bankruptcy but it’s slated for a relaunch, bringing back a wave of nostalgia for past titles. As it turns out, Jeff Jarrett, a member of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), will be serving as a member of the advisory board overseeing this eagerly anticipated relaunch.
Following its hiatus of more than two decades, an assembly of seasoned professionals from the industry have come together to resurrect this legendary name in video gaming. The publisher’s updated mission will focus on backing independent studios while giving new life to much-loved classics to appeal to a new generation of gamers.
The new era for the publisher, originally established in 1987, will be marked by an exciting phase of supporting indie developers and breathing fresh life into traditional franchises. Acclaim aims to be a backbone for indie developers by offering crucial support like funding, marketing, and PR services, with the goal of allowing these studios the chance to bring their creative ideas to a wider gaming audience.
The rejuvenated Acclaim is aiming to renew and revitalize its back-catalog of cherished IP, which has been enjoyed by millions of players for many years. To ensure that the vision for the revitalized Acclaim becomes reality, they’ve assembled an advisory board of respected industry leaders. These include Russell Binder of Striker Entertainment, Mark Caplan at Ridge Partners, and Jeff Jarrett at Global Force Entertainment. Their extensive experience and industry knowledge will be crucial in shaping Acclaim’s future.
Key partners such as Phil Toronto, Partner at VaynerFund, and Eric Vogel, Partner at JET Management, are also backing Acclaim’s growth strategy. With their expertise in investment and management, they will contribute to creating a favorable environment for nurturing independent developers and ensuring sustained success in lockstep with the advisory board’s directives.
Acclaim’s reinvigorate leadership and board possess extensive experience in the entertainment industry. Jeff Jarrett, a two-time Hall of Fame wrestler who’s been in the sports entertainment and video games industries for over three decades, will prove invaluable to Acclaim’s future direction.
Alex Josef, a seasoned professional in the gaming industry, having spent more than two decades marketing and publishing hundreds of games across platforms like PC, console, and mobile, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer to mastermind Acclaim’s relaunch and growth.
Acclaim, founded initially in 1987, gained fame over the years as a leading international developer, publisher, and mass marketer. They brought many fan-favorite franchises including Mortal Kombat, Turok, and NBA Jam to home consoles. Support for talented indie developers and delivering high-quality, premium indie games to a worldwide audience of discerning gamers remains the central philosophy of Acclaim. Acclaim’s return symbolizes the enduring appeal and strength of this esteemed brand.