K2, Namco Vet Joins MMO Publisher True Games

Online publisher True Games Interactive has announced that it has hired K2, Namco, and Vivendi vet Peter Cesario as its director of new business and product development, where he will oversee the launch of its forthcoming free-to-play MMO title. True Games recently announced it would be partnering with Star Wars: Empire At War/Universe At War developer Petroglyph to create a free to play, microtransaction-funded PC online game, which as yet is still undetailed. True Games was founded by two former K2 Network executives, bringing together expertise in micro-transaction operations and global publishing. The company is based in Orange County, California and plans to launch its initial title in Q3 of 2008. Cesario, too, joins the company from K2, where he worked as its director of product development, following production roles at companies like Namco, Vivendi Universal and 20th Century Fox Interactive, overseeing titles including Hellgate: London, The Lord of the Rings franchise, the Peanuts franchise, Curious George and Alien Vs. Predator. Said Cesario in a statement, "I am excited to join True Games when it is just beginning its climb to the top. I have worked with the key management personnel who started the company and I have the utmost respect for their experience and knowledge of the industry and am proud to be part of their team."