In the realm of gaming news, seeing details emerging about a CEO usually means you are about to read something frustrating or nonsensical. Like a CEO flexing a ginormous pay packet, or discussing a strategy that loosely entails treating their staff terribly.
But the recurring tale of Johan Pilestedt is one of a dude who genuinely loves the games he helps create, and will do anything in his power to see them succeed – even going so far as to step down as CEO to get back to his role as Chief Creative Officer for Helldivers 2.
Hey everyone,
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 22, 2024
Big update, I've decided to hire @ShamsJorjani as the new CEO of @ArrowheadGS! We go way back and I wouldn't trust the business in any other hands than his. (...and he comes with an impressive resume and love for games)
But what about me and my involvement in…
So as an executive decision, Johan has actually hired his replacement so he can “spend MORE time with the team and 100% of my focus on the games and community”, even mentioning the replies that he cares “more about weapon balance than QBRs”.
Given that the hottest topic amongst the community right now is the state of weapon balance, it seems like he is wise to roll up his sleeves and get back to work on getting that process back on track:
Yes, that’s the plan
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 22, 2024
It’s a refreshing bit of news to partake in, and once again shows the commitment of the Arrowhead as a studio to making sure their dystopian space war is firing on all the cylinders. It speaks volumes that the so many people saw the original announcement and rightfully feared that Pilestedt might have been leaving the company entirely, with replies like “Don’t scare me like that” not being uncommon.
And huge props to Johan for setting a stunning example of what commitment to your players looks like.
Are you excited to think that Helldivers 2 weapon balance might be getting back on track? Reckon Johan might give shrapnel back to the Eruptor? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
Known throughout the interwebs simply as M0D3Rn, Ash is bad at video games. An old guard gamer who suffers from being generally opinionated, it comes as no surprise that he is both brutally loyal and yet, fiercely whimsical about all things electronic. On occasion will make a youtube video that actually gets views. Follow him on YouTube @Bad at Video Games
