Codemasters CEO leaves to join Jagex

Codemasters CEO leaves to join Jagex
David Scammell Updated on by

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Codemasters’ CEO Rod Cousens has left the company to join Cambridge-based developer Jagex as its new CEO.

Rod cousens

Cousens headed up Codemasters for 10 years, overseeing work on the developer’s DiRT, GRID and F1 series and helping the company to achieve the highest revenues in its history. He will be replaced by Codemasters’ current COO Frank Sagnier for the duration of the company’s “executive transition”.

“Throughout an illustrious career within the UK video games industry, Rod has presided over the likes of Activison, Acclaim and, most recently, Codemasters,” Jagex said in a statement provided to VideoGamer.com. “Now, in this latest role, he brings his experience, insight and acumen to Jagex as it enters a new chapter of business.

“Rod will oversee the company during a period of expansion in which the studio’s flagship title branches out into the collectable card game genre via the recently announced Chronicle: RuneScape Legends. Meanwhile the tactical online shooter, Block N Load, will bring its strategic combination of construction and marksmanship to the world on 30th April 2015. Away from the public domain, an additional number of games are currently moving through development towards announcement.”

“I am honoured, humbled and excited to lead Codemasters through its next stage and we sincerely thank Rod for his many achievements and wish him every success in his new venture,” added Sagnier in a statement released by Codemasters.

“Over the years, Codemasters has built award-winning games and franchises with an amazing pool of talent and the support of its principal shareholder, Reliance ADA. To this day, Codemasters remains an iconic brand and I am committed to making it shine brighter than ever. The industry’s continued growth, driven by the explosion of new platforms and new business models, represents a significant opportunity for Codemasters to expand existing IP and continue to innovate.”

Cousens’ departure follows recent redundancies at the developer’s UK headquarters and the closure of its Japan office.

Its next big game, F1 2015, releases on PS4, Xbox One and PC on June 12.

Source: Codemasters, Jagex