Pullup Entertainment announced the appointment of two new Co-CEOs to lead its subsidiary Dovetail Games, known for the Train Sim World franchise and more simulators.
According to the press release, former CEO Jon Rissik is stepping down after 12 years of “invaluable contributions” to the company.
The new Co-CEOs are Gemma Brown and Rob O’Farrell, who were previously in the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Development Officer, and have worked at Dovetail for 12 and 11 years respectively.
As they have demonstrated strong leadership at the company, their appointment is intended to provide “expertise and strategic vision” that “will ensure continuity, stability, and the continued growth of Dovetail Games in the years to come.”
Geoffroy Sardin, CEO of Pullup Entertainment mentions that the move “promotes exceptional internal talent.”
“The appointment of Gemma and Rob is a pivotal moment for Dovetail Games and reflects PULLUP Entertainment’s commitment to promoting exceptional internal talent. Their combined expertise and deep knowledge of the industry will be major assets for the studio’s future.”
We also hear from Brown and O’Farrell themselves, who pledge to make the studio a “key player in the video game industry.”
“It is a true honor for us to take on the leadership of Dovetail Games together. We deeply believe in the unique model of our studio, which places the gaming community at the heart of everything we do.
This close relationship with our players inspires us every day to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. We are also immensely proud to work alongside the talented teams at Dovetail Games, whose dedication and passion for their craft make the studio a key player in the video game industry. We are excited to continue building this promising future together.”
While Dovetail Games is primarily known for the Train Sim World franchise, with the recent release of Train Sim World 5 and several add-on DLCs expanding the simulator’s routes, it’s also the publisher and caretaker of the Steam Edition of Microsoft’s venerable Flight Simulator X, which is still enjoyed by a dedicated community.
The developer tried to push further into the flight simulation market in 2017 with Flight Sim World, but the attempt failed and the simulator was officially discontinued in 2018.
The company was acquired by Focus Entertainment in 2023 before it rebranded into PulluP Entertainment.