Shams Jorjani Replaces Founder of Arrowhead Game Studios Johan Pilestedt  in the Role of CEO

Arrowhead Game Studios has announced Shams Jorjani as its new CEO, with Johan Pilestedt, the company founder, stepping down from the role. Pilestedt will remain as Chief Creative Officer and Chairman. This leadership change follows the massive success of Helldivers 2, which has sold 12 million copies since its February release on PS5 and PC.

Jorjani, a seasoned veteran in the gaming industry, brings extensive experience from his 12-year tenure in senior leadership roles at Paradox Interactive and his position as chairman of indie publisher Hooded Horse. He has also been a senior advisor for various gaming companies.

In discussions with GamesIndustry.biz, Pilestedt explained that the decision to appoint a dedicated CEO stemmed from his desire to focus more on game creation while ensuring the company received the necessary structure and leadership for future growth. He noted that, as Arrowhead’s team expanded to over 120 developers, he found it challenging to balance his passion for game creation with the demands of running the business. The launch of Helldivers 2 had pulled him more towards business responsibilities, leaving less time for creative work, prompting the need for a change.

Pilestedt had reached out to Jorjani, proposing the CEO role, and after careful consideration, they agreed it was the right move. Pilestedt felt that following his passion for game creation would be best for both himself and the organization, and that a reluctant CEO would not benefit the company.

Jorjani shared his vision for the future, emphasizing that Pilestedt wasn’t retiring from his creative work. He believes Helldivers 2 was just one milestone in Pilestedt’s career and that his role as CEO would be to provide the organization and leadership necessary to achieve consistent success. Reflecting on his experience at Paradox, Jorjani highlighted the importance of business administration and leadership in supporting creative endeavors. He aims to provide the structure that would enable Pilestedt and his team to continue producing exceptional games.

Jorjani also remarked on the often-overlooked importance of operational leaders in successful companies, drawing comparisons to industry giants where the creative visionaries are well-known, but the operational leaders work behind the scenes. His goal is to support Pilestedt and the team so they can focus on their creative work.

With the new leadership structure, Arrowhead aims to strengthen both its creative and business success, preparing for future projects while maintaining the high standards set by Helldivers 2.

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