Sierra exec takes over High Moon Studios

Sierra Entertainment today announced a changing of the guard at the top of its San Diego, California-based High Moon Studios development house. High Moon's founding president, John Rowe, has stepped down from his position and taken an advisory role with the studio, and Sierra named Peter Della Penna, previously head of its worldwide studios, as Rowe's successor.

Originally known as Sammy Studios, High Moon was formed in March 2005 when Rowe headed up an investment group to purchase the studio from then-parent-company Sammy Corp. after a round of downsizing led to speculation that the developer would be shuttered. At the time Rowe had been the president and CEO of Sammy Studios, and stayed at the helm of the company as it became High Moon Studios, and was subsequently acquired by Sierra parent Vivendi Universal Games in January 2006.