Revitalizing Indie Games and Breathing New Life into Classic Franchises

The legendary publisher Acclaim is making a comeback, led by a team of seasoned industry experts aiming to support independent developers and revive cherished franchises.

Prior to its initial launch in 1987, Acclaim was recognized for working on iconic series such as NBA Jam, Turok, and Mortal Kombat. Following a successful run during the ’90s, the company faced a downturn and eventually declared bankruptcy in 2004—resulting in the sale of key assets.

Currently, the brand is being reintroduced under the guidance of an advisory group that includes Russell Binder from Striker Entertainment, Mark Caplan from Ridge Partners, and Jeff Jarrett from Global Force Entertainment.

Alex Josef, a veteran in marketing and publishing, has been appointed as CEO of the rejuvenated company.

Josef previously held the position of CEO at the full-service publisher Graffiti Games, known for titles like Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion and Restless Soul—and revealed that Acclaim has already secured multiple projects.

“It’s an incredible honor and privilege to lead the effort in bringing Acclaim back to the forefront of the gaming industry,” said Josef. “We’re lucky to have an exceptionally talented team and have already signed some fantastic indie titles, which we plan to unveil soon.”

Acclaim will provide funding, marketing support, and public relations assistance to help independent studios “bring their creative dreams to a wide audience.”

“One of the major objectives for the restructured Acclaim is to bring back and revitalize its cherished portfolio of classic intellectual properties that have been enjoyed by countless players over the years,” states a recent announcement, hinting that remakes and remasters may be in the pipeline.

In an interview with Game Developer, Josef mentioned that the team had considered acquiring two traditional publishing brands but stressed that Acclaim remains the “primary focus.”

“In 2024, we finalized agreements with the last group of stakeholders who owned the brand and trademark, and then it was full speed ahead,” he explained. “Acclaim has made a significant impact on gaming history with numerous notable titles across various genres and nearly every major license in the gaming landscape. We are engaging in multiple discussions to explore opportunities with classic Acclaim IP that fans are eager to experience again.”

With Acclaim now back in action, the team hopes to announce a product lineup that features indie titles from developers keen to create their own franchises, as well as reviving existing IPs in a manner that fulfills fan expectations.

“Our vision for evolving Acclaim includes a product mix that showcases the best independent titles from developers who are forging their own emerging brands, along with finding synergies where Acclaim can connect with globally relevant brands,” he continued.

“Any IP revival absolutely has to elevate the experience, and the game must enhance the brand. We take this very seriously, and catering to our fans is at the heart of our strategy, including our approval process and how we plan our releases.”