Troubled SCi culls senior execs

Three top staff at beleaguered video game publisher SCi Entertainment have resigned from the company.

Chief executive Jane Cavanagh, managing director of publishing Bill Ennis and managing director of studios Rob Murphy have all stepped down following pressure from investors.

According to reports, shareholders demanded their resignation in the wake of the company's latest profit warning and the failure to find a buyer.

Phil Rogers, SCi's group chief financial officer, has taken up the position of chief executive, and US chief financial officer Malcolm Dunne will temporarily take the role of group chief financial officer.

SCi chairman Tim Ryan said: "In Phil Rogers, SCi has a high-quality industry professional, whose past experience will be enormously valuable to the future of the business.

"We have a tremendous pool of talent in our business and some wonderful intellectual property which is globally renowned.

"The market for games and gaming is strong and growing with huge opportunities worldwide as new platforms and technologies blossom. We intend to take advantage of those strong market conditions."

Following SCi's acquisition of Eidos in 2005, the company has been behind several well known franchises including Tomb Raider, Championship Manager, Commandos and Hitman.

Rogers will lead a full business review with the support of the board and a small team of senior managers from within the business.

The review is set to be completed by the end of February, at which point the board will report back to shareholders with the findings as well as an update on its financing discussions.