Creative and technical leads arrive at the vanguard of Jagex’s aggressive 2019 recruitment drive
Jagex today announced further appointments that reinforce its investment in development and publishing talent, with two senior hires as part of a wider recruitment drive that will see the Cambridge studio boost its headcount by more 25% by the end of 2019.
Dan Vargas has been appointed as Art Director of an unannounced online action role-playing game. Dan has nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, having begun his career at Electronic Arts, helping develop the Need for Speed: Underground franchise as an illustrator and environment artist. Vargas joins Jagex from Ubisoft where he was Senior Artist and then Art Director on several titles, including the award-winning Assassin’s Creed franchise.
Alongside Vargas, Ian Thomas has joined Jagex as its new Technical Director in its Publishing Platform team. Most recently Director of Engineering at Glint, Inc, the employee engagement platform, Ian brings with him more than 16 years of software solutions and engineering experience from working at high-tech companies across England’s Silicon Fen.
Phil Mansell, Chief Executive Officer, Jagex, said:
“Jagex continues to attract and secure industry-respected expertise and Ian and Dan are key hires who will strengthen our creative and technical management teams. We recognise the importance of technical innovation and investing in exceptional talent, with almost 100 new hires targeted, and further modernising our technology, are key elements of our strategy through 2019 and beyond as we build on our portfolio of living games.”
Dan Vargas, Art Director, said:
“I’m excited to join Jagex as Art Director and to be working on this ambitious project. I made the move from Canada seeking personal and professional growth, and Jagex’s evolution and aspiration made this adventure a very attractive opportunity. I believe in the vision and I’m eager to build out our team, focus on visual development and leverage my experience in the collaborative efforts required to make a great game.”
