James Hursthouse

Current

CEO / Founder at Roadhouse Interactive
CEO / Founder at IGM K.K.

Past

Director, Games and Digital Media / President GNi Japan at GNi
CEO/Founder at Online Game Services Inc.
Director at Solid Networks KK

CEO/Founder at TCi Japan Ltd.
Vice President Sales and Marketing at eigoTown.com
Japan Manager at Cambridge University Press Japan
Sales Representative / Marketing Manager at Oxford University Press Japan

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Education

University of Bradford

Recommended

11 people have recommended James

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Computer Games

Websites

James Hursthouse’s Summary

James Hursthouse is an experienced global online game business developer and entrepreneur. His introduction to the industry came through work with an early incarnation of Nexon Japan. He moved to the US in June of 2004 to set up Online Game Services Inc (OGSi), which rapidly established itself as a leading infrastructure provider to the online games industry, offering a broad spectrum of solutions including hosting, billing, customer support and market development consultancy.

OGSi merged with infrastructure partner Global Netoptex Inc. in early 2007, and continued to refine the Game Service Provider model under the GNi umbrella, with a specific focus on game hosting utilizing dense computing environments.

Moving back to Tokyo in October 2007, James is dividing his time between Asian business development activities in the online games sector through IGM K.K., as well as helping to found Roadhouse Interactive, a Vancouver based developer of free to play online games for Western markets.

James was also Chairman of the Advisory Board for the ION Game Conference and continues to serve on the advisory board for LOGIN, and was previously Chairman of the IGDA’s Online Games SIG. He holds advisory board positions with a number of game studios and companies.

His career also includes stints in digital media production / localization as CEO/Founder of TCi Japan Ltd., internet media as VP of Sales and Marketing at eigoTown.com, and educational publishing as Japan Manager for Cambridge University Press.

Contact Details:

Connect to me on Plaxo to keep up to date with contact details and numbers:

http://jameshursthouse.myplaxo.com/

James Hursthouse’s Specialties:

- Massively multiplayer online games and virtual worlds.
- Broad understanding of online games business / systems / infrastructure
- Global client / partner network
- Fluent Japanese
- Extensive business formation / startup experience

James Hursthouse’s Experience

CEO / Founder

Roadhouse Interactive

(Computer Games industry)

July 2009 — Present (7 months)

Roadhouse Interactive is a Vancouver BC based online game developer founded by James Hursthouse, Ian Verchere and Tarrnie Williams in July 2009.
CEO / Founder

IGM K.K.

(Computer Games industry)

April 2008 — Present (1 year 10 months)

IGM K.K. was founded in April of 2008 to bring the best in game-related middleware and tools to the Japanese and Korean markets.

IGM now represents BigWorld Technology, Umbra, Natural Motion, Firelight Technologies' FMOD, and Original Force 3D.

The company also conducts game industry related business development activities on a project / consultancy basis.
Director, Games and Digital Media / President GNi Japan

GNi

(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Internet industry)

September 2007 — May 2008 (9 months)
CEO/Founder

Online Game Services Inc.

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Computer Games industry)

June 2004 — September 2007 (3 years 4 months)
Director

Solid Networks KK

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Games industry)

October 2003 — February 2006 (2 years 5 months)
CEO/Founder

TCi Japan Ltd.

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; International Trade and Development industry)

March 2001 — April 2004 (3 years 2 months)
Vice President Sales and Marketing

eigoTown.com

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Online Media industry)

February 2000 — February 2001 (1 year 1 month)
Japan Manager

Cambridge University Press Japan

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Publishing industry)

September 1998 — February 2000 (1 year 6 months)
Sales Representative / Marketing Manager

Oxford University Press Japan

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Publishing industry)

1996 — 1998 (2 years )

James Hursthouse’s Education

University of Bradford

BA Hons (1st Class) , Interdisciplinary Human Studies , 1989 — 1992

IHS was one of the first modular degrees in the UK, combining Philosophy, Psychology. Sociology, English Literature and Communication Studies.

Additional Information

James Hursthouse’s Websites:

James Hursthouse’s Interests:

Fundraisers for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society King's Trail Triathlon June 2006 San Jose International Triathlon : July 2006 San Jose Rock n' Roll Half Marathon : October 2006 Las Vegas Marathon : December 2006 America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (Tahoe Century) : June 2007

James Hursthouse’s Groups:

IGDA Online Games SIG (http://www.igda.org/online) : Steering Committee Member
LOGIN Game Conference : Advisory Board

On Startups - The Community For Entrepreneurs
International Game Developers Association
Gaming People - The Gaming People Expert Network (+10.000)
LOGIN
Association of Virtual Worlds
NANOG - The North American Network Operators' Group
FREE ONLINE MMORPG & MMO GAMES | MMO hub.org
Advertising & Marketing for Entertainment Executives
Casual Games
Business in Japan
Hosting Industry
Game Developers
World Gaming Executives
MMORPG / MMO Games industry and VC money
David Perry's Game Industry Map Group.
Free 2 Play Assembly
Game Developers Conference® Austin
Video Game Professionals
Game Creator's Network
Electronic Entertainment Industry Network
Free to play MMO
International Online Developers Association for Games
Gaming: Passion and Profession
Casino Industry Executive Network
Video Gaming Industry Executives
VideoGame Professionals
Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and Alumni Association (JETAA) and non-JETAA JET alumni
Green Computing & Data Center Network
Serious Games Group
J@pan Inc
PlayGroup
Inside EA: (Electronic Arts) People, Games & Opportunities
VirtualWorlds
The Online Games Portals Group
Games Industry Outsource Group
Game Payments
Kids MMOG and Virtual Worlds