EA co-founder William Gordon joins Kleiner Perkins Claufield & Byers

This shouldn’t be surprising, folks, but we know not everyone’s inclined to take in a daily dose of business trivia so here’s a little primer: EA was just like any other small-time company back in their infancy. In order to build up their portfolio they needed a third-party investment firm to financially back them. We know that EA is at its prime time today, so would it be startling to see ol’ Bing (a.k.a. William Gordon), co-founder of EA, joining the venture capital firm that gave them a chance to shine? Nope, not at all. More at the full story.

Kleiner Perkins Claufield & Byers, a venture capital firm at Silicon Valley, has announced that William Gordon will be joining the company as a partner. Would it mean that the firm would be calling itself Kleiner Perkins Claufield & Byers plus Gordon? Maybe not, but it doesn’t mean that the Electronic Arts co-founder won’t be Chief Creative Officer of the publisher anymore.

He’ll continue to serve as CCO Emeritus, says KPCB, and even talk to the leaders of EA Studios in workshops on innovation. In an official statement, Gordon stated:

Ever since KPCB funded Electronic ArtsÂ’ initial business plan in 1982, I have watched the KPCB team find and support brilliant company-makers to harness disruptive digital technologies that benefit people. I cannot wait to join the firm, and work directly with an all-new generation of entrepreneurs.

“Bing” Gordon, while integral to the creation of multi-million dollar franchises such as The Sims, Need For Speed, and Madden NFL, is much more remembered as an able entrepreneur who led – in part – a small company of 11 into a worldwide gaming entity of super-stardom.

This wouldn’t have been realized if it weren’t for Trip Hawkins, Gordon, and the rest of the first 11. And the US$ 2 million in funds supplied at the time by KPCB helped them get on their feet – and fast, too. It wasn’t long before they started earning US$ 5 million in revenue.

Today, EA’s publisher coverage and capabilities is second to none, and many folks in unusual game release regions could account to truth when EA promises “simultaneous worldwide release.”

Prior to his service as CCO, Gordon was also the Executive Vice President of Marketing, Executive Vice President of EA Studios, and Senior VP of Entertainment Production of Electronic Arts.