After almost ten years at mobile publishing giant Gameloft, former business development manager Mark Hickey has left the company to take up a similar role at Kiip.

Hickey has now been installed as senior director of business development at the firm, which specialises in rewards systems for games on Android and iOS.

Risk and reward

The move has so far only been detailed via Hickey's LinkedIn account, but he leaves Gameloft after having joined the firm as key accounts manager in 2002.

Hickey then moved on to become senior business development manager in 2007, taking charge of Gameloft's iOS business and relationship with platform holder Apple.

Kiip will now look to benefit from Hickey's experience, having recently detailed the ins and outs of its rewards system.

Though by no means alone in the incentivisation field, Kiip looks to hand out prizes from commercial partners to players when they complete a certain level, challenge, or points goal in game.

It's a way to encourage continued play beyond the traditional achievements system, gifting rewards that correlate with players' interests and match the level of difficulty associated with the goal at hand.

Kiip closed a $4 million strong Series A funding round back in April.