Bigpoint hires former SOE, Zynga execs

Online games maker and distributor Bigpoint has added a pair of executives to help run its games operations.

Ex-Zynga general manager Heather Sinclair joins the company as its head of product optimisation. The position is newly-created, and Sinclair will be tasked with helping drive metrics-supported game design for titles that are currently live as well as upcoming launches.

Sinclair previously served as general manager for Zynga’s flaship title FarmVille, as well as director of product on CastleVille and CoasterVille.

"I am very glad to be at Bigpoint. The teams are truly international and so is the spirit, the open-mindedness and the creativity,” Sinclair said. I appreciate the high potential to sustainably grow the free-to-play industry here.”

Bigpoint has also brought on former Sony Online Entertainment lead Shawn Lord to produce Bigpoint’s popular sci-fi MMO DarkOrbit Reloaded. Lord spent more than a decade at SOE, leading the Everquest live team among other notable credits.

"I am extremely excited to join Bigpoint here in Germany,” Lord said. DarkOrbit has a huge established following with a strong commitment to the game and great potential to continue that success and growth."

"Heather and Shawn are the perfect fit for our international game teams," Bigpoint’s live games director Nina Mller said. "Heather’s extensive knowledge involves not only working with comprehensive, game-specific data sets, but also choosing the proper metrics and drawing the right conclusions.

"Shawn has vast experience and is used to leading huge teams by involving the whole team in the development process. With him, we are happy to have found the right talent to further develop DarkOrbit, which entertains millions of players every month."