Thunderful, the prominent game development and publishing group, has officially welcomed Ed Valiente as its new Director of Publishing.
This move marks a significant step for Thunderful as it positions itself to expand its Nintendo Switch portfolio, overseeing the creative output of studios Image & Form and Zoink, along with scouting opportunities for new titles under the Thunderful label. Ed Valiente brings a wealth of industry experience to his new role, having spent eight years at Nintendo of Europe as Business Development Manager.
During his tenure at Nintendo, Valiente was instrumental in cultivating strong relationships with third-party developers and publishers, helping to shape the Nintendo Switch library through strategic partnerships.
Prior to his work at Nintendo, Valiente built his expertise across several high-profile companies, including Sony, Square Enix, Elixir, Microsoft, and Rovio.
His broad industry background is expected to significantly benefit Thunderful's ambitions across Nintendo platforms and beyond. Thunderful CEO Brjann Sigurgeirsson highlighted the importance of Valiente’s appointment, stating that the group needed an individual to lead its publishing strategy for both in-house titles and prospective third-party games.
“Ed’s extensive industry connections and proven track record made him the ideal choice to drive Thunderful’s publishing initiatives forward across all levels of the gaming sector,” Sigurgeirsson explained.
“His arrival brings together our company’s goals in the most effective way possible.” The formation of Thunderful dates back to January 2017, when acclaimed indie studios Image & Form, well-known for the SteamWorld franchise, and Zoink, creators of titles like Fe and Ghost Giant, joined forces.
The merger allowed both studios to consolidate resources, enhancing their abilities to deliver more ambitious projects on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and via major Nintendo Direct showcases, while still developing games under their individual labels.
Thunderful's efforts are further amplified with a focus on the expanding eShop market and global game development trends. With Ed Valiente now at the publishing helm, Thunderful aims to build upon its successful legacy in the Nintendo ecosystem.
This strategic hire not only strengthens their internal studios’ potential but also positions Thunderful as a top choice for independent developers seeking a trusted partner for Nintendo Switch releases and cross-platform opportunities.
As Thunderful continues to grow, players and industry observers alike can expect a robust lineup of innovative, high-quality games in the years ahead.
This move marks a significant step for Thunderful as it positions itself to expand its Nintendo Switch portfolio, overseeing the creative output of studios Image & Form and Zoink, along with scouting opportunities for new titles under the Thunderful label. Ed Valiente brings a wealth of industry experience to his new role, having spent eight years at Nintendo of Europe as Business Development Manager.
During his tenure at Nintendo, Valiente was instrumental in cultivating strong relationships with third-party developers and publishers, helping to shape the Nintendo Switch library through strategic partnerships.
Prior to his work at Nintendo, Valiente built his expertise across several high-profile companies, including Sony, Square Enix, Elixir, Microsoft, and Rovio.
His broad industry background is expected to significantly benefit Thunderful's ambitions across Nintendo platforms and beyond. Thunderful CEO Brjann Sigurgeirsson highlighted the importance of Valiente’s appointment, stating that the group needed an individual to lead its publishing strategy for both in-house titles and prospective third-party games.
“Ed’s extensive industry connections and proven track record made him the ideal choice to drive Thunderful’s publishing initiatives forward across all levels of the gaming sector,” Sigurgeirsson explained.
“His arrival brings together our company’s goals in the most effective way possible.” The formation of Thunderful dates back to January 2017, when acclaimed indie studios Image & Form, well-known for the SteamWorld franchise, and Zoink, creators of titles like Fe and Ghost Giant, joined forces.
The merger allowed both studios to consolidate resources, enhancing their abilities to deliver more ambitious projects on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and via major Nintendo Direct showcases, while still developing games under their individual labels.
Thunderful's efforts are further amplified with a focus on the expanding eShop market and global game development trends. With Ed Valiente now at the publishing helm, Thunderful aims to build upon its successful legacy in the Nintendo ecosystem.
This strategic hire not only strengthens their internal studios’ potential but also positions Thunderful as a top choice for independent developers seeking a trusted partner for Nintendo Switch releases and cross-platform opportunities.
As Thunderful continues to grow, players and industry observers alike can expect a robust lineup of innovative, high-quality games in the years ahead.
