Toby Ragaini, the former vice president of massively multiplayer online games at Big Fish Games, has joined Novel Inc. as director of product development. Ragaini is well known in gaming circles for the creation of Faunasphere, a game that Big Fish introduced in 2009 after the acquisition of Ragaini's startup, Thinglefin.

Founded in 2009, Redmond-based Novel is utilizing video game technology to help solve complex problems for large businesses. The company said it plans to introduce its first consumer product -- one that incorporates "unique political and gameplay experiences" -- in the near future.

“I have been intrigued with the work Novel is doing from the moment their transformational vision was described to me," Ragaini said in a press release. "Their passion is infectious and I share their commitment to helping the business world become a more productive, efficient, and enjoyable environment. There is growing realization that gaming elements can be successfully applied to enterprise systems and Novel is positioned at the forefront of that movement.”