Starbreeze Fires CEO Tobias Sjögren Following Rocky Payday 3 Launch
In a significant move, gaming company Starbreeze has announced the termination of CEO Tobias Sjögren’s contract in the aftermath of the turbulent release of their latest game, Payday 3. According to an official notice sent to the company’s investors, Starbreeze expressed the need for a change in leadership following the recent challenges. As the search for a permanent CEO commences, Juergen Goeldner, a member of the board since 2023 with an impressive 40 years of industry experience, has been appointed to serve as the interim CEO.
Strategic Adjustment and Interim Solution
Starbreeze’s chairman, Torgny Hellström, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to their strategic focus on creating compelling games and developing their own and licensed intellectual properties. Hellström expressed the board’s collective belief that a change in leadership was necessary to effectively execute this strategy. With the interim appointment of Juergen Goeldner, the board aims to capitalize on their strong gaming history and the potential of their IP portfolio following the release of Payday 3.
In response to his appointment, Juergen Goeldner expressed his eagerness to take an active role in steering the company. With a strong focus on collaboration with the management team, Goeldner is determined to ensure the successful realization of Starbreeze’s strategy. He cited the valuable opportunity provided by the attainment of a leadership position, tentatively indicating that the company’s accomplishments may arise from effectively leveraging their existing strengths.
Payday 3 Turmoil Continues
Since its launch in September 2023, Payday 3 has been grappling with persistent server issues and numerous gameplay bugs. Regrettably, Starbreeze publicly acknowledged in February that the game had achieved performance levels significantly below their expectations. Previously, CEO Tobias Sjögren had expressed the studio’s dedication to addressing these concerns and refining the game to meet players’ expectations.
Read more: Starbreeze Faces Challenges Following Payday 3 Release
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