After main the studio by way of 2 rounds of layoffs and 1 recreation launch, the CEO of Supermassive is stepping down

Lower than two months after the discharge of its newest recreation, Directive 8020, Supermassive Video games CEO Robert Henrysson has introduced that he’s stepping down from the place in addition to his function at guardian firm Nordisk Video games.

“Because the CEO of Supermassive Video games, I used to be honoured to information the studio by way of intense business change, broadening its shopper base and establishing a tradition of constant high quality throughout all points of the sport growth course of,” Henrysson wrote in a farewell message posted on LinkedIn (through Sport Developer).

“Main a studio is rarely a one-man job—it’s the complete staff’s effort. Our dedication to steady enchancment was, and continues to be, central to the whole lot we do. To everybody at Supermassive Video games, I’m so grateful for the whole lot I’ve learnt and skilled with all of you. You’re the biggest storytelling recreation studio on earth, you rock! And I want you all the perfect sooner or later.”

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A separate message posted by Nordisk credit Henrysson for taking up “a broad operational function, supporting current portfolio corporations by way of a interval of appreciable change, together with serving because the Chairman and Interim CEO of Avalanche Studios Group.” He was appointed as CEO of Supermassive “with a transparent mandate: to steer Supermassive Video games by way of the profitable supply of Directive 8020. Throughout his time, he rebuilt the studio’s management staff, sharpened its technique and oversaw the completion and launch of Directive 8020, the newest instalment within the Darkish Photos sequence.”

And in that function, he was seemingly profitable: Directive 8020 holds a “blended” consumer ranking on Steam and a comparatively small variety of consumer evaluations in comparison with different Darkish Photos video games. However we appreciated it fairly a bit, calling it “unmissable journey for any fan of sci-fi horror” in our 85% evaluation, and Nordisk praised Directive 8020 for incomes “the strongest important reception within the sequence up to now,” reflecting “the arduous work and dedication of all the Supermassive Video games staff, supported by Robert’s management all through this vital interval.”

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It additionally bears noting that Henrysson led Supermassive by way of two rounds of layoffs within the leadup to Directive 8020, in February 2024—shortly after he took over from departing founders Pete and Joe Samuels—after which once more in July 2025. Supermassive was hardly alone in that, although: The video games business has been rocked by hundreds of layoffs over the previous few years, because the heady stuck-at-home days of the Covid-19 pandemic gave technique to the tough gentle of actuality, which apparently nearly no government within the videogame enterprise was in a position to foresee.

Henrysson mentioned he will spend the summer time together with his household, however left the door open to new roles: “Essentially I really like the video games business and the individuals in it, so I’ll be open to taking up chosen advisory roles and exploring what comes subsequent.”