Virtual Worlds Forum

There's a definite trend right now of virtual worlds and related companies poaching experienced executives from the console games industry, either for full-time positions or to add clout to their boards. Avatar firm Big Stage is the latest, having appointed Chuck Huebner as president and CEO. Huebner was formerly head of worldwide studios at console publisher Activision, and joins in time to oversee Big Stage's launch next year of its flagship service, which will let users create 3D avatars and then use them within a variety of virtual worlds and other interactive content. Huebner also has worked at Hasbro subsidiary Wizards of the Coast and Coca Cola, which will doubtless come in handy. He's talking Big Stage up as a "revolutionary global media company", so it'll be interesting to see how the company delivers on these bullish words. Big Stage website (via Worlds In Motion)