Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has a brand new CEO after its earlier boss stepped right down to tackle a brand new position targeted on the studio’s video games and neighborhood.
After shifting an unimaginable 12 million copies in 12 weeks throughout PC and PlayStation 5, Helldivers 2 is the fastest-selling PlayStation recreation of all time forward of even God of Battle Ragnarok. Now, Johan Pilestedt, who was Arrowhead CEO, turns into Chief Creative Officer. In a tweet, Pilestedt mentioned this implies he’ll get to focus extra on the studio’s video games in addition to its neighborhood.
Hey everybody,
Huge replace, I’ve determined to rent @ShamsJorjani as the brand new CEO of @ArrowheadGS! We go method again and I would not belief the enterprise in every other arms than his. (…and he comes with a powerful resume and love for video games)
However what about me and my involvement in…
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) (*2*)
Changing Pilestedt as Arrowhead CEO is Shams Jorjani, former government at fellow Swedish video games firm Paradox and writer of one of Arrowhead’s earlier video games, Magicka. Jorjani now takes on the day-to-day operating of the enterprise. In a tweet, Jorjani mentioned he was “humbled and excited to get to work with such proficient nerds (once more!).” Pilestedt stays Arrowhead chairman amid the reshuffle.
A bit of information! I am becoming a member of the superb crew at @ArrowheadGS as CEO!
Humbled and excited to get to work with such proficient nerds (once more!). pic.twitter.com/L6T79oziq5
— Shams Jorjani (@ShamsJorjani) May 22, 2024
The shakeup on the high of Arrowhead comes after a very tough time for the developer, which butted heads with Helldivers 2 writer and IP proprietor Sony over the PSN account requirement backlash. Sony ultimately reversed its choice, however the recreation stays unavailable in international locations the place PSN just isn’t stay.
Arrowhead has additionally indicated it needs to spend extra time specializing in issues like patches and weapon stability after neighborhood complaints round nerfs and low influence Premium Warbonds. Simply this week, Arrowhead mentioned it was pumping out stability patches too quick, and wished to sluggish the stay service down a bit.
In a subsequent tweet, Pilestedt defined his choice to step down as CEO additional: “Not practically executed. However I care extra about weapon stability than QBRs [Quarterly Business Reviews].”
Helldivers 2 is an astonishing success story for Arrowhead and PlayStation, and it appears doubtless the stay service facet of the sport will proceed to develop over a few years. In the meantime, Helldivers 2’s Galactic Battle, with its numerous meta narrative twists and turns, continues apace, with some hardcore gamers calling for extra to hit the Western entrance and struggle the Automatons as a substitute of the Terminids.
Wesley is the UK Information Editor for IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You possibly can attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.