Major League Gaming (MLG) will add Jared Gerritzen, formerly of Zombie Studios, to their executive team as vice president of publisher and developer relations, the company announced this morning. Gerritzen, who most recently headed production for the studio’s Blacklight series, has spent two decades in the games industry and held positions at every stage of the game development process.
This is my last week at @ZombieStudios its been a great 8 years. I’ll miss the Devs and all our games. I get to be a fan of Blacklight again
— Jarǝd (@Gerritzen) May 28, 2014
The announcement marks another point of growth in a year that can largely be typified as one of expansion for MLG. This year alone the company has announced new franchise in Brazil, confirmed its plans to build a gaming arena in China, and boasted about its involvement in bringing Call of Duty: Ghosts to X-Games Austin.
“I understand how developers and publishers can benefit from competitive gaming,” Gerritzen said in the press release.
MLG is hoping Gerritzen can help further increase the use of its tournament system MLG: Play, which they previously referred to as Gamebattles, among developers and distributors of competitive multiplayer titles.
Gerritzen hopes to “evangelize” the MLG brand within the industry and further MLG’s goals of becoming a global leader in esports as well as a household name.
Next weekend, MLG will host an eight team Call of Duty: Ghosts invitational at X Games Austin, where players will compete for X Games medals alongside X Games staples like BMX and skateboarding.
Screengrab via Major League Gaming/YouTube
