Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead Game Studios has undergone a big change in leadership today. Johan Pilestedt, the studio’s founder and director of the live-service sleeper hit, is stepping down as CEO to focus on his creative vision for the game and studio.
Pilestedt will transition to the role of Chief Creative Officer and Chairman, remaining heavily involved in the studio’s future. Shams Jorjani, a veteran of the games industry with extensive leadership experience, will take over the CEO position, and from the looks of it, keep the success rolling.
Pilestedt’s Creative Efforts Were Somewhat Underutilized
This news comes shortly after the tremendous success of Helldivers 2, having sold a remarkable 12+ million copies since its launch on PS5 and PC in February. The game’s strong performance has propelled Arrowhead to a new level of growth, and Pilestedt has acknowledged the need for a leadership structure that can accommodate this expansion.
The decision to step down as CEO appears to be driven by Pilestedt’s desire to return to his core passion for game creation. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Pilestedt expressed the hefty demands of the role, which drew him away from his creative pursuits:
“Over the last year going to launch of Helldivers 2, I’ve been pulled more towards the business side of things, and not able to focus as much on the creative side. That made me realize I needed to make some decisions, both for the success of the business but also myself,” remarked Pilestedt.
Industry Veteran Jorjani Is A Worthy CEO For Arrowhead
Therefore, he pursued Jorjani for the role, who eventually agreed to running the studio as CEO. After the news broke, Jorjani made his intentions and allegiance to Arrowhead’s wellbeing clear in a recent tweet, with a GIF stating “I love democracy.” Minimal words, maximum effect.
— Shams Jorjani (@ShamsJorjani) May 22, 2024
Judging by Jorjani’s resume, Arrowhead may well be in very good hands. The new CEO spent 12 years in senior leadership roles at Paradox Interactive, the renowned developer and publisher behind franchises like Cities: Skylines and Crusader Kings.
He also has experience as chairman of indie publisher Hooded Horse and serves as an advisor for various game businesses. His expertise in organization and leadership will be crucial for Arrowhead, as the studio is projected to grow further.
Jorjani’s vision for Arrowhead also aligns with Pilestedt’s desire to prioritize creative excellence. In the interview, he emphasized the importance of creating a structure that empowers Pilestedt and the development team to achieve their creative goals.
“What I’ll be bringing to the table is organisation and leadership… What I did at Paradox… it was about organisation, leadership and business focus. It’s a lot of the, frankly, boring business administration stuff that is a necessary part of running a company,” explained Jorjani.
Many successful studios are led by prominent creative figures, such as Hideo Kojima at Kojima Productions, Sam Lake at Remedy Entertainment, and Hidetaka Miyazaki at FromSoftware. Now, with Pilestedt prioritizing his creative vision and unshackling himself from managerial concerns, Arrowhead could be counted among the absolute greats in the not-too-distant future.
