The Revival of Acclaim: A New Chapter Unfolds
Alex Josef, the CEO of the newly revived Acclaim, reflects on his fond memories of the publisher from his youth, acknowledging both its accomplishments and missteps. As a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in PR and marketing, Josef has been involved in various ventures, including a cheese and wine bar, and has worked in the games industry since the late 1990s. The opportunity to acquire Acclaim arose when Josef was approached by industry veterans, and after considering several iconic brands, they decided to revive Acclaim due to its distinctive energy and edginess. However, Josef emphasizes that the new Acclaim will not replicate the company's past marketing stunts, instead focusing on creative and tasteful campaigns. The publisher's primary objective is to support independent game developers, providing a platform for them to showcase their work, regardless of budget constraints. Acclaim is looking to build a strong foundation by partnering with committed developers and adding value to their games, with a focus on PC-first indie titles. While the company may explore relicensing some of its old IP, its main priority is to discover and promote new talent, with a mission to bring innovative games to the forefront and provide them with the necessary visibility.