Exploding Kittens has named Joeri Hoste as its new studio head. The executive, who previously served as the company's chief commercial officer, will lead the studio with the goal of expanding the intellectual property beyond the card game that launched the business.Hoste joined Exploding Kittens in 2020 to oversee its international operations. Before that, he worked for companies including tabletop game publisher and manufacturer Ooba Games, toy company BOTI and Upper Deck, which specializes in trading cards and related products.The change comes after Carly McGinnis, Exploding Kittens' former CEO, was named head of Asmodee's global publishing operation last month. Asmodee is the company's parent company.In a LinkedIn post, Hoste described his six years at Exploding Kittens as the most rewarding period of his career. He also said he was “thrilled and honored” by the new responsibility and outlined the studio's next ambition: to turn the property into a lasting, evergreen brand bigger than its original format.The company has achieved significant commercial success since its first title raised nearly US$ 8.8 million on Kickstarter in 2015. Last year, Exploding Kittens said it had sold more than 60 million games after completing a decade in business.The expansion has already moved beyond the tabletop. A partnership with Netflix brought the property to mobile games and an animated series. Now, Hoste says the studio will continue producing games and experiences that bring people together while maintaining the balance between broad commercial appeal and irreverent humor.Exploding Kittens has also stood out in Asmodee's portfolio during a difficult period for parts of the US board game market. The parent company highlighted the brand's performance as particularly strong amid rising prices and US tariffs, as consumers began favoring cheaper games.The promotion comes as Asmodee expands its presence in social and party games. In March, the company agreed to pay up to € 250 million for French publisher ATM Gaming, combining its strength in Europe with Exploding Kittens' position in the United States.
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