Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Former Turbine CEO launches online game site

By Christopher Calnan

Jeffrey Anderson, the former CEO of online game company Turbine Inc. is launching a new Internet game company called Play Hard Sports Inc., which plans to distribute casual sports games over the Internet.

Anderson said he has attracted $5 million in funding to start the Foxborough-based company.

He expects the company to develop an online network of casual sports games, games based on fantasy sports teams and sports-themed massively multiplayer online role playing games, or MMORPGs. The network is scheduled to launch its first product in the fall, Anderson said.

Anderson was CEO of the Westwood-based Turbine from 2001 until October 2007. He said he stepped down from Turbine's board in January.

Anderson said he sought the investment from New Enterprise Associates Inc., a 30-year-old venture capital firm with offices in Maryland and California, because of his past business dealings with NEA partner Harry Weller, who is joining Play Hard Sports' board of directors.

Turbine develops MMORPGs and company officials said when they replaced Anderson with current CEO Jim Crowley the move was done in preparation for a change to Turbine's business plan.

Turbine spokesman Adam Mersky said the company plans to make an announcement regarding its future plans in two weeks. But the company website includes employment listings for console-game positions, fueling speculation that Turbine could be expanding from the online market to the console player market.

Play Hard Sports' $5 million financing will be used for product development and marketing, Anderson said.