Cary-based iEntertainment, a developer of video games such as WarBirds and other combat simulation titles, is merging with Great Outdoors, LLC.
As part of the merger, J.W. “Wild Bill” Stealey will become chairman of the board of the combined venture.
Danny Hammett, the operator of Great Outdoors, will become the firm’s president.
iEntertainment also will develop a new line of outdoors-focused games with the first titles set to launch by mid 2013.
Stealey is a long-time gaming executive at iEntertainment, InteractiveMagic and other firms.
Hammett has spent more than 20 years in the game industry, including management jobs at Activision, Electronic Arts, Vivendi NBC Universal and Head Games Publishing. He also has been involved in development of numerous outdoors games.
“J.W. Stealey will assume the role of Chairman of the Board and work primarily with the development teams,” the company said in a statement. “Mr. Hammett will focus on day to day operations, sales, marketing, and promotion of the brands and the products.”
