Continuing to build out its business following its $104 million acquisition by Japanese platform GREE, OpenFeint has hired Ethan Fassett, former executive producer of social publisher Playdom's San Francisco studio, as its senior vice president of product.

Prior to Playdom, Fassett worked at online entertainment portal Gaia Online, launching its virtual goods store and social network applications.

Fassett will leverage his free-to-play gaming expertise to grow player engagement on the OpenFeint platform - currently over 90 million users strong - through new communication features. He will also drive player acquisition for developers who support the platform with distribution tools and programs.

Transferable skills

"Game developers are looking for an engaged social graph and communication tools tailored around the unique community needs of those players," explained Fassett.

"As a game-centric social network, OpenFeint is uniquely positioned to deliver on both and I'm excited to expedite the transition of web-based social games to mobile."

"We're very excited to bring on Ethan, whose expertise in free-to-play games and social communities will drive product strategy and shape the evolution of the network. He truly understands social games, the social networks they need to be successful, and the tools game developers need to properly engage and monetise their players," commented OpenFeint CEO Jason Citron.