Interactive entertainment executives seem to be playing musical chairs today. Los Angeles-based Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) has announced that its North American President and COO, Luc Vanhal, has departed from the company effective immediately. The news comes as Take-Two Interactive announces the resignation of president and CEO Jeffrey C. Lapin.
As with Take-Two and Lapin, VU Games has provided no reason for Vanhal’s resignation. His duties will be handled by CEO Bruce Hack in the interim.
VU Games’ development studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Ent., Sierra Ent., Massive Ent., Coktel, Fox Interactive and Knowledge Adventure. Additionally, the company co-publishes and/or distributes titles for a number of strategic partners including Interplay, inXile ent., Majesco and Mythic Ent.
Another industry shakeup may be in the works as Forbes.com reports that Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone may buy Midway Games. Redstone, the largest Midway shareholder with 48%, may merely opt to boost his holdings in the company. A holdings statement filed Tuesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also indicates that he is eyeing a seat on Midway’s board of directors.
