If you grew up gaming in the ‘80s and ‘90s, you probably remember Acclaim. From arcade hits to console classics, the publisher was behind some of the biggest titles of its time. Now, after more than two decades, Acclaim is making a comeback—this time with a fresh focus on indie developers and breathing new life into its legendary franchises.
Originally founded in 1987, Acclaim published hit games across multiple platforms, including Double Dragon II, Double Dragon III, Cybernoid, Super Smash TV, Turok, NBA Jam, and Mortal Kombat—some of my personal favorites. Now, like a phoenix rising, Acclaim is returning with a new mission: to empower indie developers by providing funding, marketing, and PR support. The goal? Helping smaller studios bring their creative visions to a global audience while rekindling classic IPs beloved by millions.
To ensure a strong return, Acclaim has assembled an advisory board of industry veterans, including Russell Binder (Striker Entertainment), Mark Caplan (Ridge Partners), and Jeff Jarrett (Global Force Entertainment). Their combined expertise will help shape the publisher’s future, guiding both new projects and the revival of classic franchises.
Strengthening its foundation, Acclaim has also partnered with key figures like Phil Toronto (VaynerFund) and Eric Vogel (JET Management), whose investment and management experience will provide stability for long-term success—fostering an environment where indie developers can thrive.
Acclaim’s leadership team is a mix of professionals from across entertainment, featuring licensing experts, professional athletes, music legends, and video game veterans. Notably, two-time Hall of Fame wrestler Jeff Jarrett—who has spent over three decades in both wrestling and gaming—will lend his insights into the intersection of video games and pop culture.
“For more than three decades, I’ve been part of both the wrestling and gaming universes, and I’m thrilled to now be a partner in the revival of Acclaim,” said Jarrett. “From my early involvement with Acclaim’s hit 16-bit WWF titles to my work on the TNA Wrestling series, I’ve seen firsthand the impact great games can have on players. Reviving Acclaim is a chance to bring that same passion to a new generation, and I’m excited to be involved.”
Leading Acclaim’s relaunch is CEO Alex Josef, a veteran with over 20 years of experience in gaming marketing and publishing. Having worked on hundreds of titles across console, PC, and mobile, Josef is eager to usher Acclaim into a new era.
“It’s an absolute honor to lead the revival of Acclaim,” said Josef. “We’re fortunate to have an incredibly talented team and have already signed some amazing indie titles, which we’ll be revealing soon.”
With a seasoned team and a mission to support both up-and-coming developers and legendary franchises, Acclaim’s return could make a major impact on the gaming industry. While the publisher has yet to announce specific projects, it’s clear it has ambitious plans. And with the indie publishing space recently shaken by layoffs and closures, Acclaim’s revival couldn’t have come at a better time.
