October 3, 2024 — 9 Lives Interactive, an independent game studio behind the team-based hero shooter Nyan Heroes, has announced the recent hiring of Justin Randall as Engineering Director, Esteban Barten as Global Marketing Director, and Asimakis Reppas as Economy Director. The key hires follow another successful public playtest, which saw a 30% increase in new players, 1.2 million total completed missions, and the game reaching the Top 3 Most Wishlisted on the Epic Games Store. These strategic additions reinforce the studio’s commitment to deliver Nyan Heroes as a global sensation upon launch.
With decades of experience, Justin Randall is a seasoned technical leader with extensive experience at major game studios and publishers like Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, Firaxis, Lionhead, Origin Systems, and Ensemble Studios. He spearheaded the transformation of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Phantoms, turning it into one of the longest-running free-to-play FPS games at Ubisoft; played a pivotal role in the development of Sid Meier’s Civilization at Firaxis; and led engineering teams to ship iconic multiplayer shooters and MMOs for Sony, Electronic Arts, Zenimax and Take-Two Interactive.
As Engineering Director at 9 Lives Interactive, Justin’s responsibilities include advocating for engineering to deliver a stable launch of Nyan Heroes at scale as well as architecture, technology, and security for the title.
“I have spent a lifetime as a gamer and developer since the 1990s. I know fun when I see it and Nyan Heroes is delightfully entertaining! I have been fortunate to be part of teams who know how to create and deliver excitement, which is why I knew in my gut right away that 9 Lives Interactive is where I need to be — to bring more enjoyment to gamers.” commented Justin Randall, Engineering Director.
Esteban Barten is an accomplished marketing leader with over 15 years of experience at companies like Activision Blizzard, ANWB, and Bitstamp. With a strong background in brand marketing, strategic planning, and commercial growth, Esteban has been valuable in the success of various high-profile projects. At Activision, Barten contributed to the success of iconic franchises like Call of Duty, Destiny, and Guitar Hero. While at Bitstamp, he managed large-scale esports sponsorships and expanded the brand within the gaming community.
As Global Marketing Director, Esteban will oversee the marketing team, with a focus on brand marketing, marketing strategies, performance marketing, market insights, and community management.
“I’ve dedicated much of my career to marketing management, helping iconic brands in entertainment, crypto, and gaming thrive and grow. I’m driven by a passion for innovation and growth, always focused on creativity and strategic vision to help brands thrive. I’m excited to bring all my learnings from marketing AAA gaming franchises to the 9 Lives Interactive leadership team, helping bridge Web2 and Web3 gaming with a focus on immersive gameplay for a global audience,” commented Esteban Barten, Global Marketing Director.
Asimakis Reppas has been in the creative industries for nearly 20 years. With a diverse background in the gaming sector, he has spent most of the past decade designing game systems and economies for open-world MMORPGs, with a particular focus on player-driven economies. Most recently, he played a pivotal role at CCP Games, overseeing the in-game economy of EVE Online. In addition to his economic oversight, Asimakis led one of the largest gameplay teams, shaping core game systems central to the player experience.
“I’ve been a passionate gamer for as long as I can remember, immersing myself in countless genres. It only took a brief look to realize the extraordinary talent and vision driving Nyan Heroes, where player enjoyment is at the heart of everything. The team, the possibilities, and the challenges ahead made it clear—this is a journey I’m excited to be part of,” commented Asimakis Reppas, Director of Economy.
“We are excited for Esteban, Justin, and Asimakis to join us in our pursuit of creating an immersive, IP-driven shooter that will capture the imagination of players across the globe, said Max Fu, Creative Director and CEO of 9 Lives Interactive. “Their combined expertise in engineering, economy, and marketing at some of the biggest names in gaming will be invaluable as we enter the next phase of Nyan Heroes’ development and create a lasting IP with wide appeal, competitive gameplay, and staying power that bridges the worlds of Web2 and Web3.”
Please visit the Careers page to view all open roles at 9 Lives Interactive.
About 9 Lives Interactive
9 Lives Interactive is an independent game studio established in 2021, pushing the boundaries of gaming with its debut title, Nyan Heroes. Utilizing cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5 and blockchain technology, the studio is staffed by industry veterans from hit franchises like Marvel’s Avengers, Destiny, and Halo. Founder and CEO Max Fu transitioned from a career in the creative industry to focus on creating gaming experiences that emphasize both community building and positive social impact. Demonstrating their commitment to change, the developer
has donated over $350K to various charities, including a significant $250K contribution to Best Friends Animal Society. 9 Lives Interactive aims to revolutionize the industry, offering games that are technologically advanced and have a broader social impact.
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