Steve Palley Joins Vivendi Games Mobile

The rumor mill has been churning on this one for some time, but Modojo Biz has confirmed today that Foci Mobile Founder/Lead Analyst Steve Palley has joined Vivendi Games Mobile's Centerscore studio. Palley is arguably most widely known for the two years he spent as Chief Editor of the now-defunct Wireless Gaming Review and later GameSpot Mobile.

"When I was deciding on joining a mobile games publisher, a number of criteria ran through my mind, from game design chops to global resources and scope. I was very impressed with how consistently VGM has been able to recruit the best talent, as well as how fast it has shot up to the top of the market," Palley explained to Modojo Biz. "Plus, I've always felt that Centerscore is one of the best studios in the US, and I am tremendously excited to begin working with [Centerscore General Manager] Oliver [Miao] to produce new hits."

Palley has served on and moderated mobile game panels at many conferences, including CTIA, CES, MGC, GDC, and others. His Foci Mobile biography also notes that he has contributed his mobile gaming expertise to multiple mainstream publications including The Wall Street Journal and MarketWatch, among others.

"Centerscore is stoked to have Steve join our studio," Miao told Modojo Biz. "He stands alongside other elite of the US mobile media - Levi of IGN, Hugo of WG World, Justin of Modojo, and Matthew Bellows - as the clear leaders in the number of mobile games played in the US. I remember when his reviews of our games would influence how we created new games. Now he's on board to directly make our innovative, Top Sellers games even better. This is great news for cell phone game players."

"...and for that one scathing review... payback should be fun," Miao added playfully.