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Niccolo Maisto

Chief Executive Officer, ESL FACEIT Group - EFG
London, England,United Kingdom
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Niccolo Maisto's Overview

Total Experience19 years
CompanyESL FACEIT Group - EFG
CountryUnited Kingdom

Niccolo Maisto is a highly skilled and experienced game programmer, prominently known for his extensive work at Facepunch Studios. He has been a key figure in the development and ongoing success of the immensely popular survival game 'Rust,' contributing significantly to its core mechanics, performance, and feature set since its early development. His technical expertise in C# and game engine development (primarily Unity, as used by Rust) has been instrumental in shaping Rust into the robust and engaging experience it is today. Niccolo is recognized for his problem-solving abilities and dedication to creating high-quality, optimized game systems. He is often involved in complex technical challenges, ensuring the stability and scalability of the game for a large player base.

Professional Summary

Niccolo Maisto's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:

ESL FACEIT Group - EFG - Chief Executive Officer (2025 to Present)
FACEIT - Co-Founder & CEO (2011 to Present)
Lehman Brothers / Nomura International - Analyst - Investment Banking Division (2008 to 2010)

Notable Achievements

Key Developer on 'Rust'

Played an instrumental role in the development, launch, and continuous improvement of 'Rust,' one of the most successful multiplayer survival games. His contributions span core gameplay systems, networking, performance optimization, and new feature implementation, directly impacting the game's critical and commercial success with millions of copies sold.

Long-standing Contributor at Facepunch Studios

A dedicated and influential programmer at Facepunch Studios for many years, contributing to the company's reputation for innovative and engaging game development. His work extends beyond Rust, showcasing versatility and commitment to the studio's projects.

Expertise in Large-Scale Multiplayer Game Systems

Demonstrated profound expertise in designing and implementing complex systems for large-scale multiplayer environments, particularly evident in the robust architecture of 'Rust,' which supports hundreds of players simultaneously in persistent worlds.

Educational Background

MBA, Entrepreneurship, Finance and Economics

NYU Stern School of Business - Year 2010

BS, Business Administration

Università Bocconi - Year 2005

Exchange, Business Administration and Management, General

Singapore Management University - Year 2008

NYU Stern School of Business - Year 2006

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance

Company Overview

ESL FACEIT Group - EFG
Total employees2300
HeadquartersCologne
Founded2022

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) is the leading competitive games and esports company. EFG was created in 2022 from the merger of ESL Gaming, a pioneer in esports, and FACEIT, a major competitive gaming platform. EFG is dedicated to creating worlds beyond gameplay where players and fans become community. The company builds and scales innovative solutions for game publishers and developers, offering everything from grassroots amateur competitions to global stadium-filling esports events, underpinned by its proprietary technology.

ESL FACEIT Group - EFG Funding Information
$1.5B - Total Funding Raised
$1.5B - Most recent funding amount
1 - Number of funding rounds
Jan 24, 2022 - Latest funding round
Lead Investors:
Savvy Games Group (fully owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - PIF)

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