Further to the news that Japanese publisher Marvelous AQL has set up an European office, come the first appointments.

Sony, Sega and Keystone Game Studio veteran Ben Andac will be creative director, while ex-Kabam man Mike Hawkins (pictured) takes the role of marketing director.

And both will be busy soon enough with Marvelous AQL promising it will be launching a number of Japanese mobile, social, and console games in the west.

Filling the seats

"Marvelous AQL's games are renowned for their quality, style, and soul. Collaborating with developers on new games in Japan and here in Europe to continue this tradition is incredibly exciting," said Andac.

The company plans to have its first Japanese titles released in 2012, while western-sourced mobile games will arrive in 2013.

"This marks an important step on our journey into the European social and mobile games market," commented Marvelous AQL Europe CEO, Harry Holmwood.

"I'm thrilled to be putting in place a world-class team, to bring the best Japanese and European games to the market."