Realtime Worlds issues APB on Gary Dale

Today, Realtime Worlds announced that Gary Dale has been named as the company's new chief executive officer, with Grand Theft Auto creator and studio cofounder Dave Jones assuming the role of creative director. Most recently, Dale served as Take-Two Interactive's chief operating officer, a position he held for just five months before announcing his resignation in January 2009.

Dale's journey to the top of RTW has an element of circularity to it. Previously, he served as president of the interactive software and video division of BMG Interactive, which published the Dave Jones-helmed original Grand Theft Auto. Take-Two bought the now-dormant publishing house in 1998.

After a stint serving as Capcom Europe's managing director, Dale signed aboard Take-Two in January 2007, taking on the role of COO at the publisher's subsidiary and current Grand Theft Auto franchise developer, Rockstar Games. By December 2007, Dale had moved up a rung on the corporate ladder, assuming the role of Take-Two executive vice president. Dale held that role until August, when he was appointed COO of the publisher.

Addressing Dale's appointment, Jones said, "As RTW transitions from being a traditional developer to an online publisher I could not be happier that Gary will lead us through this exciting phase of our growth. His years of experience at companies such as Capcom and Take-Two will prove invaluable in ensuring we meet our goals of becoming a world leading next-generation online publisher."

"My focus going forward will be on ensuring we continue to deliver quality innovative experiences as with our debut title, Crackdown," Jones said of his own new position. Realtime Worlds is currently at work on APB, an urban-warfare massively multiplayer online game, which it plans to release for PCs this year.