Naughty Dog co-founder is THQ's new president

THQ has hired Jason Rubin, co-founder of Uncharted developer Naughty Dog, to become its new president.

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With THQ shares trading at nearly 50 cents a share, it's clear that the battered publisher needs to turn itself around.

Outspoken THQ EVP Danny Bilson is leaving the company "to pursue other interests." While Bilson has been key in refocusing THQ on "core games," another new hire should cement that direction even further: Jason Rubin, co-founder of Uncharted developer Naughty Dog.

Effective immediately, Rubin will take over as president of THQ, and will be responsible for all of THQ's worldwide development, marketing and publishing operations. THQ CEO Brian Farrell said in a prepared statement: "Jason's proven track record in the industry speaks for itself, and he is one of the brightest minds in the business. We believe he can be a game changer and can contribute immensely to executing on our strategy of delivering quality connected core game experiences."

"THQ has incredible internal and external game development teams, and an exciting slate of games in its development pipeline," Jason Rubin said in a press release. "The recent transformation of THQ into a creator of wholly-owned IP has placed it in a perfect position to leverage future trends in the game business."

Rubin is certainly joining THQ at an interesting time. While the company has continuously underperformed, its upcoming library includes some of Shacknews' most-wanted games, including Metro: Last Light and Company of Heroes 2.

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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  • reply
    May 29, 2012 2:45 PM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Naughty Dog co-founder is THQ's new president.

    THQ has hired Jason Rubin, co-founder of Uncharted developer Naughty Dog, to become its new president.

    • reply
      May 29, 2012 3:04 PM

      This should be interesting...could be the start of something awesome, or the start of just selling the whole thing off to one of his friends...hoping for awesome...

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      May 29, 2012 3:06 PM

      The Shackers should buy a majority stake of THQ then we could pump out Metro, Red Faction and Saints Row games every year!

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        May 29, 2012 3:11 PM

        Honestly, given how cheap the company is right now, you probably could pull that off...

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        May 29, 2012 3:11 PM

        Not unless they go back to doing open world Red Faction games.

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        May 29, 2012 5:22 PM

        Why would we want to shorten production time? Because its working for COD and NFS so well?

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        May 29, 2012 6:46 PM

        We would have Volition work on Freespace 3.

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      May 29, 2012 3:17 PM

      Homeworld please

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      May 29, 2012 3:19 PM

      I think Naughty Dog should be remembered more their awesome 3DO game - Way of the Warrior

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        May 29, 2012 3:33 PM

        [deleted]

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        May 29, 2012 6:33 PM

        Oh man Way of the Warrior was cool at the time. It was a cool looking Mortal Kombat that played a little like Samurai Showdown... Time to dig out the 3DO and see if it works.

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        May 30, 2012 11:48 AM

        Holy crap! That was them!?

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      May 29, 2012 4:55 PM

      Patrice Désilets, creative director for Assassin's Creed 1&2, also joined new studio THQ (Monteal) in the summer last year.

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