I-play boss David Gosen steps down

I-play has officially confirmed that president David Gosen is leaving the company, as part of its integration with new owner Oberon Media.

"David Gosen is stepping down as I-play's President, effective immediately, following further integration of I-play with Oberon, after the company's acquisition in June 2007", reads the company's statement. "We wish him well in his future endeavors."

Gosen has been replaced by Don Ryan, Oberon's senior vice president of publishing, who will now be in charge of the company's mobile activities. He used to be general manager of Microsoft Game Studios, overseeing hundreds of downloadable casual games.

"Mobile remains a pivotal part of Oberon's strategy to maintain its leadership position as a multi-platform casual games company," continues the statement.

Let's hope so: the whole idea behind buying I-play was that mobile would be a future key platform for any casual games firm.

Anyway, Gosen, who previously headed up Nintendo Europe, has been one of the most high-profile mobile games industry executives since joining I-play. What's more, he's been tireless in his evangelising of mobile as a gaming platform in its own right and helping build the credibility of the industry.

Pocket Gamer wishes him all the best, and will wait with interest to see where he ends up next