Digital Jesters director slams insolvency rumours

Speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz, Digital Jesters marketing director Leo Zullo has issued a fervent denial of industry rumours that the British-based publisher is facing further financial difficulties.

"We have experienced some cashflow problems of late, as every company does," he said. "But we received a substantial investment a few months ago and since then we have overcome our difficulties and have been restructuring."

The investment was made by i-Tag, a private equity group. When asked if Digital Jesters was now in a financially secure position, Zullo replied: "Yes, 110 per cent."

Zullo denied rumours that staff had failed to receive their wages on time on several occasions over the past few months, but did concede that "there was one payroll issue where staff were paid three weeks late."

"Since then, everyone has been paid regularly and that will continue going forward." He also admitted that some staff received expenses payments late due to "accounting issues", but said that all such issues had now been resolved. Zullo also categorically denied rumours that bailiffs had been called in to the company's former premises in Welwyn Garden City.

Companies House records show that Digital Jesters has changed its company name several times over the past four months; when questioned about this Zullo reiterated that a large amount of restructuring had taken place, and explained that the company is now operating under the name DJ Incorporated. He added that Digital Jesters' Asian and US offices are being expanded and will shortly become fully operational.

Zullo went on to discuss the recent announcement that Ubisoft will distribute the forthcoming Crazy Frog game, which Digital Jesters is publishing on PC, PS2 and GBA this Christmas. "They offered us a deal we couldn't refuse," he said.

"It was a commercial decision. We're very pleased to have Ubisoft's tremendous weight behind us in the marketplace."

Zullo also revealed that the company has a number of other deals in place, including one with Atari.