By Sagar V. Mankar 
Acclaim, the iconic video game publisher known for its success in the 1990s, is making a return after more than two decades. The company, which originally shut down in 2004, is now back under new leadership with a fresh vision.
According to reports, the revived Acclaim will focus on supporting independent game studios and bringing back classic titles for a new generation of gamers.
Leading the charge is Alex Josef, the newly appointed CEO of Acclaim. Josef brings over two decades of experience in the gaming industry, having worked in marketing and publishing roles across various companies. He is also the founder of Graffiti Games, an indie publisher known for titles like Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion.
In a statement, Josef expressed his excitement about the revival, saying, “It’s an absolute honor and pleasure to be leading the charge in bringing Acclaim back to the forefront of the games industry.”
While the announcement did not reveal specific details about upcoming games, Josef hinted at “some incredible indie titles.” This suggests that Acclaim’s initial focus will be on nurturing original intellectual properties (IPs) while also revisiting its rich catalog of classic games.
To guide its revival, Acclaim has assembled an advisory board of industry veterans. This includes Russell Binder, founding partner of Striker Entertainment; Mark Caplan, founder of Ridge Partners; and Jeff Jarrett, a professional wrestler and entrepreneur. Jarrett, who has a history with Acclaim through its popular WWF wrestling games, shared his enthusiasm for the project. “Resurrecting Acclaim is an opportunity to impart the same degree of passion and love to a new generation, and I’m excited to be involved,” he said.
Originally founded in 1987 by former Activision employees, Acclaim became a household name in the gaming world during the 1990s. The publisher was known for creating games based on popular movies, TV shows, and sports franchises. Some of its most memorable titles include WWF Attitude, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, and The Simpsons: Bart vs the Space Mutants. However, despite its success, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2004, marking the end of an era.
Now, Acclaim is looking to reclaim its place in the gaming industry by blending its legacy with modern trends. The company has stated that it will provide funding, marketing, and PC support to indie developers, helping them bring their creative visions to life. At the same time, it plans to “resurrect and revitalize its beloved portfolio of classic IPs,” which were enjoyed by millions of players in the past.
The return of Acclaim has sparked excitement among fans of retro gaming, many of whom are eager to see how the publisher will adapt its classic titles for today’s audience.