EA, Zynga bigwig starts new free-to-play studio

Tokyo-based free-to-play developer Nexon has announced a partnership with recently-founded American studio Shiver Entertainment, based in Miami and headed up by former Zynga and Electronic Arts COO John Schappert. The partnership assures Nexon exclusive worldwide publishing rights for Shiver's titles in exchange for a cash equity investment. Nexon's chief financial officer, Owen Mahoney, will also be joining Shiver's board of directors. "John [Schappert] has been responsible for building some of the industry's most fun and financially successful franchises," Mahoney said in a statement. "This announcement represents another significant milestone in our strategy to build our business in key Western markets." While chief operating officer at EA, Schappert oversaw the company's retail and digital distribution strategies. More recently as COO of Zynga, Schappert was responsible for building up Zynga's mobile division and overseeing daily operations. After departing Zynga, he founded free-to-play focused Shiver Entertainment in December of last year.