In an exciting development for the gaming industry, a group of former industry veterans has come together to launch Cooldown Games, a new publishing venture. The founding team is led by CEO Steve Gibson, who previously held the position of president at Gearbox Publishing. He is joined by a talented lineup of executives, including:
- Matt Charles – Chief Product Officer
- Erick Cobbs – Chief Business Officer
- Jackson Hardesty – Chief Operating Officer
- Brad Schliesser – Chief Revenue Officer
- Jimmy Sieben – Chief Technology Officer
- Jeff Skal – Chief Marketing Officer
With a wealth of experience from renowned companies such as Gearbox, Id Software, and Warner Bros, the co-founders of Cooldown Games bring a remarkable track record to the table. Collectively, they have been instrumental in generating over billion in revenue and have contributed to the success of eight titles that have sold over one million copies each.
Vision for the Future
Gibson expressed his confidence in the company’s approach, stating, “Our team is confident rational business models will be a long-term strength of Cooldown Games and that just might be a refreshing contrast from many recent industry trends.” He emphasized his commitment to supporting game developers in reaching a wider audience while ensuring a rewarding experience for all stakeholders involved. “Let’s make some great games together,” he added.
Skal further elaborated on the team’s motivations, noting a shift in their gaming preferences over the past five years. “We all individually noticed that we’ve been gravitating away from many of the predictable new releases,” he said. He explained that many gamers, including himself and Schliesser, have found themselves immersed in “forever” games like World of Warcraft, while Hardesty enjoys titles such as DayZ. This realization led them to create Cooldown Games, aiming to discover and promote games that fit seamlessly into the busy lives of gamers, whether in between sessions, during seasonal breaks, or after a long raid night.
