Telltale names new CEO, original property in the works

Telltale Games announced co-founder Kevin Bruner as its new CEO, with former boss Dan Connors taking an advisory role after leading the company since 2004. Telltale also revealed it has "original IP (intellectual property)" in development, a marked change for a studio that built its name on licensing and adapting properties like The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us.

Telltale's official announcement discusses plans for growth in 2015, underscoring a period of transition for the adventure game studio. There are seasons of Tales from the Borderlands and Game of Thrones to complete after their debut episodes, while Minecraft: Story Mode. The Walking Dead Season 3 and the new original IP are also somewhere in the pipeline.

In an interview with Gamasutra, Bruner said the change was the "right direction" for Telltale, underscoring a period of transition for the Californian team. According to the new CEO, the studio has doubled in size every 16 months in its decade-long existence.

"We're looking at the next growth phase for Telltale," Bruner added. "We're 240 people now, and we continue to have an opportunity to do great things and grow the company."

"2015 is the first of the next ten years for an ever-evolving Telltale," Connors said in a press release. "As we enter this new phase, and as Kevin transitions to my former role of CEO, I will remain with the company and on the board in an advisory role that will help ensure Telltale's vision of continuing to break new ground as leading storytellers in the entertainment space."

While Telltale isn't going to divert from a licensing strategy that's brought huge success and big name adaptations in recent years, it's interesting to see the studio once again taking on an original IP. We say "once again," but Telltale's only game to date that wholly features original characters is its first, Telltale Texas Hold-Em, released all the way back on February 11, 2005.

[Image: Telltale Games]

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Telltale President and Co-Founder Kevin Bruner transitions to CEO amid Continued Company Growth in 2015

Co-Founder Dan Connors Remains at Telltale as Executive Advisor

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jan. 12th, 2015 - Leading and award-winning developer and publisher of digital entertainment Telltale Games, today confirmed changes to its executive management structure with President and Co-Founder Kevin Bruner transitioning to CEO, as Co-Founder Dan Connors remains with Telltale as Executive Advisor. The company also revealed its plans for continued growth in 2015, as well as original IP in development.

"2014 marked our tenth consecutive year of continued growth since co-founding Telltale with Kevin Bruner in 2004. In that time, we've been incredibly proud to have accomplished so much with some of the most talented people in entertainment," said Dan Connors, Co-Founder and Executive Advisor at Telltale Games. "2015 is the first of the next ten years for an ever-evolving Telltale. As we enter this new phase, and as Kevin transitions to my former role of CEO, I will remain with the company and on the board in an advisory role that will help ensure Telltale's vision of continuing to break new ground as leading storytellers in the entertainment space."

In 2014, Telltale was named the No. 1 'Most Innovative Company in Gaming' by Fast Company. After completing two award-winning series last year, including The Wolf Among Us and The Walking Dead Season Two, Telltale was also the recipient of multiple 'Developer of the Year' awards for 2014.

"Each year since Telltale's 2004 birth has been more exciting than the last, and 2015 will be no exception." said Kevin Bruner, CEO and Co-Founder of Telltale Games. "We're thrilled to continue our growth and bring our unique style of scripted entertainment to the next generation of digital media, and do that across thousands of different devices. Our top priority is to continue fostering an environment where the most talented and creative storytellers in the industry are working side by side with the world's biggest creative partners. We're already working on some of the biggest franchises in entertainment, and when you add our unannounced partnerships and upcoming original IP, it's clear the most exciting time to be at Telltale is now, and there will continue to be more and more opportunity to innovate ahead of us."

Telltale Games premiered two new series to critical acclaim at the end of 2014, including Tales from the Borderlands in partnership with Gearbox Software in association with 2K Games, as well as Game of Thrones in partnership with HBO. The company also recently announced its partnership with renowned developer Mojang confirming Minecraft: Story Mode set to premiere in 2015. A third season of The Walking Dead in partnership with Skybound Entertainment is also in development, with a future premiere date that has yet to be confirmed.

For career opportunities at Telltale Games, please see available listings online at: http://www.telltalegames.com/company/jobs/

For more information on Telltale Games, visit the official website, Facebook, and follow @TelltaleGames on Twitter.