MySpace co-founder DeWolfe moves into social gaming with MindJolt acquisition

MySpace co-founder Chris DeWolfe has re-emerged almost a year after leaving the chief executive post at the social network. With backing from Austin Ventures, DeWolfe’s new company Platform G is buying a social gaming startup called MindJolt.

It sounds like DeWolfe is basically taking over MindJolt — the press release says he’s the company’s new CEO, while his former MySpace colleagues Colin Digiaro and Aber Whitcomb are moving in as chief operating officer and chief technology officer, respectively. San Francisco-based MintJolt already reports 20 million monthly active users for its games on Facebook, its own web site, and other social networks. The team says it wants to bring in more revenue through brand partnerships and virtual good sales, bring MintJolt to new web sites and smartphones, and work more closely with game developers.

Platform G isn’t disclosing the size of the deal, or the funding from Austin Ventures, but TechCrunch reports that DeWolfe raised more than $20 million to make it happen. It also reports that DeWolfe is planning a “roll up strategy” with an eye toward buying more gaming companies.

I’ve asked MindJolt for more information about its future plans, and will update if I hear back.

[image:Wired]