Smedley

Daybreak Game Company, formerly Sony Online Entertainment, will be getting a new president. John Smedley, who was head of the firm for over a decade, is stepping down as president and chief executive officer, and taking on a new role in the company. Smedley's future position has not yet been made public, but we do know that current chief operating officer Russell Shanks will be taking over.

"I can confirm that John Smedley will be taking some time off from the company for the near-term and transitioning to a different role to be determined," a spokesperson for Daybreak told GamesBeat. "Upon finalisation of his plans, further communication will be provided."

Smedley's decision to step down comes after a number of personal attacks against him from hacker group Lizard Squad, who, along with taking down Daybreak's games' servers, offered a cash reward to anyone who would deface the executive's father's grave.

[source venturebeat.com]