Frogster Dismisses Three Executives

Runes of Magic publisher Frogster Interactive Pictures has discharged three of its executives: CFO Ralf Kloppel, CAO Bjorn Koschin, and Frogster America CEO Lars Koschin. Frogster hasn't year announced a replacement for Lars Koschin, who headed the Berlin-headquartered MMO company's North American arm for the past year and a half, or for any of the other terminated senior staff members, nor has it offered a reason for their dismissal. Lars' brother Bjorn Koschin was with the company for two years, while Ralf Kloppel served at the firm for four years. Frogster says it's "recalled both with immediate effect," and that it chose not to prolong its consulting agreement with Ralf Kloppel last spring. These firings follow shortly after Gameforge, another free-to-play online game publisher based in Germany, acquired a 60 percent majority stake in Frogster last month at €25 ($32). Previous to leading Frogster America, Lars Koschin worked as president at Gameforge for more than a year. Last week, Gameforge boosted its bid to €27.50 ($37) in order to win over the Frogster's remaining shareholders. Frogster's management, which described the takeover as "friendly," noted that it would continue to be "sustained as an independent company with its current management and team at its existing locations, with its own culture and its successful brand names."