Linux Game Publishing Shake-Up: CEO Steps Down

There's some news today out of Linux Game Publishing, but it's not about a new game being ported to Linux. Rather, it's an apology from Michael Simms, the CEO of LGP, and to announce his resignation. Linux Game Publishing though isn't going away but a new CEO has been announced.

Linux Game Publishing has been rather dormant for the past few years. In fact, the last big news out of them was when they disappeared in 2010 after their lone server that powered Linux Game Publishing, their Digital Rights Management platform, and TuxGames store failed and took months for recovery. LGP's sever was eventually restored and then in early 2011 they announced they were working on something, but it's been quiet since then with no releases or upcoming previews.

Some of the titles that were known to be under development at Linux Game Publishing were "Bandits: Phoenix Rising" and "Disciples 2: Dark Prophecy", but these games were released for Windows a decade ago and never managed to make it out the door at LGP although were in private beta. The better known ports at Linux Game Publishing that were successful for Linux included Cold War, Postal 2, and most recently (2009) they survived as the publisher for the Shadowgrounds games.

In a posting this morning on the LGP blog, Michael Simms the founder and CEO of Linux Game Publishing, apologized for Linux Game Publishing going dormant. He's been burned out after working on the UK-based company for more than a decade. "The answer came by accepting the new reality that my burnout was not going away and I was no longer the right person to be at the heart of Linux gaming. I still love Linux and I love Linux gaming. LGP is my baby, and you don’t devote 12 years of your life to something like this without being proud of, and attached to, your creation."

His answer is to part ways with Linux Game Publishing. But rather than letting this well known Linux gaming outfit die, he's found a successor to lead on the company: Clive Crous. Clive will be taking over Linux Game Publishing to provide new energy and drive. "He has some big plans, and I won’t steal his thunder by telling you what he is going to be doing, but I think you’ll be happy with the new and revitalised LGP."

Clive has served as a contracted developer for Linux Game Publishing going back to 2006 and also serves as a senior developer at a company in South Africa where he resides. He's also worked on several open-source projects under the name DarkArts Studios, including a few games.

Best of luck to Clive Crous and Michael Simms. This unfortunate but hopeful news comes just days after id Software also lots its main Linux developer.