After nearly 20 years with the company, Blizzard exec Paul Sams (pictured) has quit his post to take a job as CEO of Irvine-based Ready At Dawn as it opens a new office in Austin and searches for a "strategic partner" which will allow it to retain ownership of its works.

This is notable in light of the fact that independently-owned Ready At Dawn has worked closely with Sony since it opened in 2003, on everything from God of War PSP games to The Order: 1886, which it released earlier this year for PlayStation 4.

Going forward, the company's Irvine office will continue to focus on game development under the guidance of co-founder and former CEO Ru Weerasuriya, who will serve as president and Chief Creative Officer as Sams tackles the business side of things.

"Paul’s expertise and industry knowledge positions us well to reach our company goals, including securing a strategic partner which will allow us to retain ownership of the transmedia IPs that we create," stated Weerasuriya in a press release announcing Sams' arrival. “It is never easy finding someone to take over the reins of a company after this many years, but I cannot think of anyone better suited to guide the team as we look to the future."