WaPo names MacLeod Launcher lead assignment editor

The following excerpt was sent out from The Washington Post’s Launcher editor Mike Hume and Chris Meighan:

We are thrilled to announce that Riley MacLeod will become the lead assignment editor for Launcher, home to The Post’s coverage of video games.

Riley will be based in the Washington newsroom and will work with Launcher’s editors, reporters and producers to lead the site’s day-to-day editorial coverage across platforms, scrutinizing a multibillion-dollar industry while also chronicling the influence of games on modern culture.

During the past year, Riley has worked as an editor on The Post’s Next Gen team, helping with our ongoing effort to engage with younger audiences. Previously, Riley helped lead the gaming site Kotaku, where he began as managing editor in 2016 and became editor at large in 2019. In both roles, he oversaw day-to-day operations, planned reviews and events coverage, helped bring new voices to the site and wrote so, so much about “Fortnite.” He previously wrote for gaming sites such as Unwinnable, Offworld, Paste and Killscreen.

Riley has a master’s degree in library science from Queens College, a master’s degree in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School and a BFA degree in dramatic writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.