Former Rockstar Games Vienna’s CEO Dr. Niki Laber is now joining the Vienna-based social games developer Socialspiel to manage Business and Corporate Development (Update – March 2023: The website seems to be out of use, and we therefore deactivated the original link).
Dr. Laber founded Neo Software in 1993. After it was acquired by Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games in 2002, he managed the growth of Rockstar Vienna as it developed some of the best-selling console titles in the World, such as Grand Theft Auto III/Vice City double-pack, Max Payne 1 & 2 and Manhunt 2.
After Rockstar Vienna’s sudden closing in 2006, Dr. Laber went on to found Games That Matter, which was then acquired by Deep Silver Games and rebranded to Deep Silver Vienna.
Socialspiel’s CEO Helmut Hutterer stated: “Niki is an incredible enrichment for us, supporting us with international business and corporate development to help us and our partners with worldwide distribution of our mobile and social games.”
In addition to Dr. Laber joining Socialspiel, the growing social games startup has also acquired the German mobile gaming startup Spielwerk; the core founding team are joining Socialspiel and will be focusing on upcoming iOS projects currently under development. Spielwerk was a developer of iOS applications for Apple’s iPhone and iPad, and developed and published Primal Plant Attack, Run Bob Run and their featured app, iGlowStick, which has over 1 million downloads on iOS and international recognition.
“Spielwerk’s experience devoloping intuitive, bite-sized iOS apps and games is an excellent addition to our rapidly-growing team”, says Socialspiel CEO Helmut Hutterer. “This is the next logical step in expanding our company as we shift into developing more accessible mobile games on iPhone, iPad and other mobile platforms.”
Socialspiel is an angel-funded social games startup headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Founded in early 2010 by ex-developers from Rockstar Games and Deep Silver, Socialspiel creates high-production value game experiences, such as the award-winning Tight Lines Fishing, in partnership with a worldwide group of publishing, distribution and marketing partners.
Find this interesting? Check out the interview we did about a year ago with Socialspiel’s CEO Helmut Hutterer.
