Markus Wilding Goes Freelance Under the Name Beyond the Wall Consulting

In recent weeks, former 2K and Private Division director Markus Wilding has taken on numerous freelance assignments under the name Beyond the Wall Consulting, including projects for devcom and Harakka Studio. He spoke to GamesMarkt about his plans and vision for his new consulting business.

Markus Wilding transitioned to self-employment in search of fresh challenges, as he explains: "In the summer of 2025, I was looking for a new professional challenge and spoke to many partners and friends at Gamescom. A recurring theme was that many companies in the games industry—whether publishers, developers, or agencies, and regardless of location—have a great need for experience in marketing, communications, and management."

At the same time, Wilding observed significant uncertainty in the market, leading many companies to hesitate when hiring senior management. He repeatedly heard that while companies were eager to collaborate, hiring a full-time marketing director was often too expensive or hindered by hiring freezes.

"In the end, two companies told me outright that they would sign a consultancy contract with me if I became self-employed. That strengthened my resolve to take the plunge into self-employment after 30 years as a senior employee in the games industry," Wilding shares. Since November, he has been working as a freelance consultant and has already secured five clients from various sectors of the industry.

Wilding’s wealth of personal experience is undoubtedly a significant factor in his early success. With 30 years in the global games industry, his career began in Germany, where he held PR roles at Saitek, Activision, and Take-Two Interactive. He was part of the early team for the German office of Take-Two Interactive under Christoph Hartmann, now President of Amazon Games.

In 2005, Hartmann established the 2K label for Take-Two, creating an opportunity for Wilding to transition into an international role within the publisher. Wilding first moved to the U.S. like Hartmann, where he took on global responsibility for 2K’s PR efforts; six years later, he moved to the international headquarters of Take-Two in the UK, where he spent another four years leading the international PR teams for 2K.

Later, he returned to Germany, bringing his international experience and contacts with him. He was recalled by Take-Two as International Director of the Private Division label located in Munich after a stint at rcp. Wilding’s unique selling points include his international experience, his ability to build and manage teams across countries, and his collaboration with agencies and freelancers worldwide.

"I don't specialize in just one area. I offer expertise in marketing, communications, business development, leadership, and team building," Wilding explains. This broad expertise is reflected in his initial assignments: creating marketing plans and pitch documents for a Finnish developer, working with Stephan Reichart and game events to expand devcom, sourcing exciting games for an investor outside the industry, and identifying new business partners for the creative agency Playsense.

"I also work as a guest lecturer at School4Games in Berlin, teaching marketing and leadership, and lead workshops for Games/Bavaria. While my focus is on marketing, communication, and team building, these areas will always hold a special place in my heart."

For Wilding, the name Beyond the Wall Consulting encapsulates his philosophy: thinking outside the box and embracing boundless creativity—both literally and figuratively. Game of Thrones fans may also note a playful nod to the free folk beyond the Wall, paralleling Wilding’s last name.

Freedom is a central theme in Wilding’s services. "My clients receive my experience and expertise when and for as long as they need it—without unnecessarily inflating the headcount," he says. Publishers aren’t the only ones cautious about costly senior hires; many developers don’t require a full-time marketing director but instead need someone to help them craft a marketing strategy, establish their tone of voice, and execute an integrated campaign from announcement to launch.

"Alternatively, they may need a consultant to bring an outside perspective, identify problems in existing structures and processes, and help teams or individuals collaborate more effectively and productively," Wilding notes. "They might have excellent products or services but lack a foothold in established Western markets, needing someone to help them break into new regions and reach new customers. Or they require messaging for a major announcement, launch, or trade fair appearance—sometimes combined with media training and coaching."