Tool Signs Game Developer to Interactive Directors Roster

Tool Signs Game Developer Graeme Devine to Interactive Directors Roster

Graeme Devine has signed with Tool to lead gaming efforts for tablet computers.

Tool of North America has added iPad and videogame guru Graeme Devine to its roster as an interactive director. He most recently ran Apple's iOS gaming division, and is widely recognized as one of the top videogame creators of all time.  At Tool Devine will lead a team that's focused on creating what the company calls the next generation of interactive stories and games for multi-touch/tablet projects within the advertising industry, specifically on the iPad and iPad 2, supported by Tool's in-house digital team.
 
During his time at Apple, Devine channeled his decades of design experience to optimize the iPhone and iPad as videogame platforms. His credits also include the recent "Clandestiny" game for Mac OSX. He was lead designer and writer for the Microsoft's epic "Halo Wars," and lead designer and programmer on "Quake 3." He is also widely known for his earlier contributions to the use of CD-ROM games with best-sellers "The 7th Guest" and "The 11th Hour."
 
"After our 'Touching Stories' iPad app was so well received last year, we put a special emphasis on growing Tool's presence in the multi-touch/tablet market," says Tool Digital EP Dustin Callif.  "When Graeme left Apple and recently formed GRL Games, we moved quickly to sign him, as he is essentially the one-man force behind the emergence of the iPad and iPhone as premium gaming interfaces. He's ready to push the boundaries of interactive games/stories for multi-touch/tablet devices, and he's a perfect match with Tool because we can bring the production support, while helping Graeme find appropriate advertising projects."
 
"My time at Apple was invaluable, but ultimately, my passion for making games and experiences led me to form GRL," notes Devine.  "When Tool approached me, something clicked; I had the opportunity to have partners that really understood the interactive entertainment market and could open the door to unique opportunities that I wouldn't have elsewhere."
 
A former Chairperson of the IGDA (International Game Developers Association) board, Devine has spoken at the Game Developers Conference and Game Jam. IGN acknowledged him as one of the top 100 game creators of all time. In 2010,the game industry trade pub IndustryGamers placed Devine on its Top 10 Persons of the Year list for his impact at Apple and on the videogame industry as a whole.

Published 7 April, 2011