KELLY’S HERO: REDOCTANE APPOINTS CEO

Friday 17 February 2006/... Californian Guitar Hero publisher RedOctane has announced the appointment of industry veteran Kelly Sumner to the position of Chief Executive Officer as it seeks to establish a global presence in the games industry.

Guitar Hero recently won five awards - including the coveted "Innovation in Gaming" accolade - at the prestigious DICE Festival in Las Vegas, and its critical and commercial success has propelled the publisher into the global limelight.

Now, Sumner's appointment confirms the Sunnyvale-based company as a serious player in the global videogames industry. His previous role was CEO of Take Two Interactive - a position he occupied as the firm grew from medium-sized videogames publisher to the dominant force it is today. Sumner's achievements are long and illustrious, but perhaps his crowning glory was overseeing the global release of Grand Theft Auto III at Take Two in 2001. A firm industry favourite, he has outstayed many transitional changes, having started his interactive career at Commodore Computers in 1978.

"RedOctane is a dream for me," says Kelly Sumner, CEO, RedOctane. "Following a period where I've been in a non-exec role with this tremendously exciting company, I'm delighted to return to the industry I love in a position many would kill for.

"RedOctane's plans have excited me like no other company around. In fact, I've not felt this kind of buzz and excitement since Grand Theft Auto III. The firm is ambitious, smart and extremely talented and I intend to drive RedOctane to a position of global dominance."

Guitar Hero will be published in April 2006, rolling out across Europe shortly after, priced £49.99.