Naughty Dog co-founder is new president of THQ

One of the largest companies in the video game industry, THQ,announced todaythat they have taken some bold moves with regards to their upper leadership. Former executive vice-president Danny Bilson will be leaving the company as Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin tries to steer the ship out of troubled waters.

“Jason’s proven track record in the industry speaks for itself, and he is one of the brightest minds in the business,” said Brian Farrell, CEO of THQ and Jason Rubin's new boss. “We believe he can be a game changer and can contribute immensely to executing on our strategy of delivering quality connected core game experiences.”

THQ is still currently in the process of realigning itself from being a publisher that once focused on licensed games, to a publisher that focuses on creating high-quality hardcore titles. Which is presumably one of the deciding factors in bringing Rubin on as president, given that he has been one of the instrumental forces shaping what modern hardcore games are.

During Rubin's time at Naughty Dog, the company created two very successful franchises in Crash Bandicoot and the Jak and Daxter series. Naughty Dog then went on to create Uncharted. In 2008 it was revealed that the company had sold 35 million games to the tune of about one billion dollars, with just a 90 person team.

Here's to hoping he can help THQ survive this critical time in the company's history, and that they can return to focusing on producing great games like Saints Row 3 and Red Faction: Guerrilla.