Reviewing the Acclaim logo twenty years after its dissolution was not part of our 2025 agenda, yet on this sunny March 4th (on the Ile-de-France side), one of the most prominent publishers from the 1990s has reemerged. “Acclaim is back,” as indicated by the new logo, and this resurgence naturally sparked significant discussion, particularly among those who experienced video games in the 1980s and 1990s. Titles such as NBA Jam, Mortal Kombat, Extreme G, Re-Volt, Turok, and even early Burnout releases were all associated with Acclaim. This return will be gradual, starting with support for independent studios to revive classic franchises through funding, marketing, and public relations efforts aimed at giving these indie studios the necessary visibility. To relaunch this brand, a team of four individuals from various backgrounds has come together: Alex Josef, former founder of Graffiti Games; Jeff Jarrett, a former wrestler and key figure at Global Force Entertainment; Russell Binder, who worked at Striker Entertainment; and Mark Caplan from Ridge Partners.
“It is an honor and pleasure to lead Acclaim back to the forefront of the gaming industry,” stated Alex Josef in a press release, adding: “We are fortunate to have an exceptionally talented team and have already signed incredible independent titles that we will reveal soon.”
For over three decades, I have been involved in both the wrestling and video game industries, and I am excited to now be a partner in Acclaim’s resurgence, an iconic publisher known for releasing some of the most legendary games from the 80s and 90s,” said Jarrett. “From my early days working on Acclaim’s successful 16-bit WWF titles to my experience creating the TNA Wrestling series, which introduced the first full-time video game wrestler to a roster, I have seen firsthand the impact that great games can have on players and fans. Reviving Acclaim is an opportunity to share the same level of passion and dedication with a new generation, and I am thrilled to be part of it.
Acclaim’s growth strategy is also supported by Phil Toronto, a partner at VaynerFund, and Eric Vogel, a partner at JET Management. Their expertise in investment and management is expected to help “create an environment that fosters education for independent developers and ensures long-term success.” It remains to be seen which historical intellectual properties the new Acclaim will aim to revive, given that Mortal Kombat is now owned by Warner Bros Games, Burnout belongs to Electronic Arts, and the upcoming Turok Origins is managed by Saber Interactive (Warhammer Space Marine 2) and Universal. Extreme G could potentially be a promising candidate for revival.
