HardwareFreaks

Tag: Supermassive Games

  • Supermassive Games CEO steps down

    The world of interactive storytelling just got a little quieter, as Supermassive Games announces a significant shift in its leadership. Robert Henrysson, the studio’s CEO, has stepped down from his role and departed Nordisk Games entirely, marking the end of a very rewarding chapter for the company.

    This transition comes at an interesting time, as the studio is deep into its creative momentum. Just over a month after the release of their latest title, Directive 8020, Henrysson shared his decision on LinkedIn, reflecting on the journey he shared with the community.

    Looking back on his tenure, Henrysson highlighted remarkable growth achieved under his leadership. He noted that during his time as Chairman and later as interim CEO for Avalanche Studios Group, the studio successfully tripled its revenue and profit. It was a period defined by substantial success and impressive financial milestones.

    Beyond the numbers, Henrysson emphasized the collaborative spirit that defines Supermassive Games. He stressed that leading a creative team is a collective effort, underscoring their commitment to continuous improvement as the central focus of everything they do. His message was clear: “Leading a studio is never a one-man job; it is the entire team’s effort.”

    He concluded by expressing deep gratitude to the community and staff, calling them the greatest storytelling game studio on earth. This sentiment perfectly captures the spirit of the team that has driven Supermassive’s acclaimed titles, including the celebrated Until Dawn and the ongoing Dark Pictures Anthology.

    With such a successful pedigree and multiple projects in motion—including the recently released Directive 8020 and the ongoing anthology—the question now turns to the future. As Supermassive continues to explore new narratives, the spotlight shifts toward the new leadership that will steer the studio forward into its next exciting adventure.

    Credit: KitGuru

  • After leading the studio through 2 rounds of layoffs and 1 game release, the CEO of Supermassive is stepping down

    The chapter on leadership at Supermassive Games is closing, marking a significant shift for the studio as its CEO, Robert Henrysson, steps down from both the helm of Supermassive Games and his role at parent company Nordisk Games.

    This transition comes less than two months after the launch of their latest title, Directive 8020, a release that showcased the studio’s resilience and ambition amidst complex industry demands.

    In a farewell message, Henrysson reflected on his tenure, emphasizing the collective nature of success. He credited the entire team for guiding the studio through intense industry changes, expanding its client base, and maintaining an unwavering culture of quality throughout the development process. He aptly summed up his experience by calling Supermassive Games the greatest storytelling game studio on earth.

    Beyond leading Supermassive, Henrysson’s influence extended across the broader gaming landscape. Prior to his role at Supermassive, he served in a broad operational capacity, acting as Chairman and Interim CEO of Avalanche Studios Group, supporting various portfolio companies through periods of considerable change.

    His time steering Supermassive was defined by major milestones. He successfully rebuilt the studio’s leadership team, sharpened its strategic direction, and oversaw the highly acclaimed completion and launch of Directive 8020. Although the game received a mixed user rating on Steam, critical reception was overwhelmingly positive. Nordisk praised Directive 8020 for earning the strongest critical reception in the series to date, reflecting the hard work of the entire Supermassive Games team.

    This period of achievement coincided with broader turbulence facing the video game industry. In the lead-up to and following Directive 8020, Henrysson led Supermassive through two separate rounds of layoffs. These reductions occurred in February 2024 and again in July 2025, underscoring the challenging economic climate many executives faced.

    While the industry faced difficult fiscal realities, Henrysson maintained an openness to new opportunities. Despite planning time with his family this summer, he indicated a willingness to explore future paths, remaining open to taking on selected advisory roles and investigating what comes next in the creative sphere.

    Credit: PC Gamer