Disney game chief resigns
Co-president of Disney Interactive John Pleasants announces resignation after summer release of Disney Infinity.
John Pleasants, the co-president of Disney Interactive, announced his resignation today. The move is effective immediately, though he will stay on board as a consultant.
"It was a collaborative decision to do what's right for the business at a time when we have clear momentum," Pleasants told The New York Times from Walt Disney World. "It's complicated to have co-presidents. It doesn't seem to make sense as a long-term strategy."
Pleasants' departure from Disney comes after the August release of Disney Infinity, the company's Skylanders-style toys-to-life game. Disney sold more than 1 million $75 Starter Packs during the game's first month-and-a-half, helping Disney Interactive turn a profit for the latest reporting period.
"I will tell you that it's a bit of a mixed thing for me. I would have also been happy to stay on. I would be misleading you if I said I wanted to leave," he added, noting he will stay on with Disney through January to help with with the transition.
Disney Interactive's other co-president Jimmy Pitaro will now lead the entire business unit. Pitaro and Pleasants joined Disney in 2010. Pitaro ran Disney.com and other online efforts, while Pleasants managed the company's core game segment, overseeing the release of Disney Infinity.
Pleasants previously served as CEO of Playdom, which Disney acquired in 2010 for $563 million. Before Playdom, Pleasants worked as president of publishing and COO of Electronic Arts. And before that, he was CEO of Ticketmaster. He is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School.
Another Crab's Treasure Is A Soulslike 3D Platformer | GameSpot Review Stellar Blade Review Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble - Official Multiplayer Features Trailer Nintendo 64 – April 2024 Game Updates – Nintendo Switch Online Gori: Cuddly Carnage | Meow Launch Date Announcement Trailer PUBG | Erangel Classic Returns Genshin Impact - "Arlecchino: Afterglow of Calamity" | Collected Miscellany Marvel Rivals - Official Loki Character Reveal Trailer | The King of Yggsgard Fortnite Festival - Official Billie Eilish Cinematic Season 3 Trailer Remnant 2 - The Forgotten Kingdom | DLC Launch Trailer Stellar Blade - Official "The Journey: Part 2" Behind The Scenes Trailer | PS5 Games Dead by Daylight | Tome 19: Splendor | Reveal Trailer
Please enter your date of birth to view this video
By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com
Join the conversation