In a nutshell: Iconic online game writer Acclaim Leisure is making a comeback. The corporate was based in 1987 and advanced right into a publishing powerhouse within the 90s. A number of of the last decade’s greatest franchises together with NBA Jam, Mortal Kombat, NFL Quarterback Membership, The Simpsons, and quite a few WWF professional wrestling video games from Uncommon, Iguana Leisure, and others all went via Acclaim. The tides ultimately turned, nevertheless, and Acclaim ended up submitting chapter in 2004.
The relaunched firm shall be led by trade veteran Alex Josef and deal with reviving basic franchises in addition to supporting indie builders via funding, advertising and marketing, and PR help. Josef has greater than 20 years of expertise within the trade and has helped market and publish tons of of video games throughout PC, console, and cell.
The brand new CEO stated Acclaim has already signed some “unbelievable” indie titles that shall be revealed quickly.
An advisory board comprised of gaming and leisure veterans together with Jeff Jarrett will present steering and assist form the corporate’s future.
Jarrett, knowledgeable wrestler and two-time corridor of famer, stated his early involvement within the writer’s hit 16-bit WWF titles demonstrated firsthand the kind of affect nice video games can have on gamers and followers. “I am thrilled to now be a accomplice within the revival of Acclaim,” Jarrett added.
A brand new chapter begins for us – PRESS RESTART! 🚀
Be a part of us on this journey, and keep tuned for what’s to return for players and sport builders! 🎮✨#Acclaim #AcclaimIsBack #Gaming pic.twitter.com/MaOfNIvjjf
– PlayAcclaim (@PlayAcclaim) March 4, 2025
Acclaim-published wrestling video games have been led by WWF Royal Rumble for the SNES and Genesis, WWF Rage within the Cage for Sega CD, WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Sport, and WWF Uncooked for consoles and handhelds.
Different advisory board members embrace Mark Caplan with Ridge Companions and Russell Binder at Striker Leisure. Eric Vogel at JET Administration and Phil Toronto with VaynerFund, in the meantime, will assist with Acclaim’s long-term development technique.
Acclaim stated it desires to reignite basic franchises however did not cite any particular examples. It’s unclear which video games the corporate nonetheless has the rights to as a lot of its property have been auctioned off years in the past and have modified palms a number of occasions since. In 2018, for instance, Liquid Media acquired 65 Acclaim video games for $1 million together with a number of entries within the NBA Jam franchise.
