Supermassive Games Loses Its Captain After 2 Years
Robert Henrysson just dropped a bombshell on LinkedIn that has the gaming world scratching its collective head in confusion. The man who took the helm of Supermassive Games just over two years ago has decided to peace out, calling his time there a “very rewarding chapter” before slamming the book shut. He confirmed he’s also ditching Nordisk Games, the parent company that owns the studio, because apparently one resignation just wasn’t dramatic enough for this guy.
Supermassive Games Boss Bails for Summer
So, why would anyone walk away from running a studio that just released their most critically acclaimed game yet? Supermassive Games was riding high after Directive 8020 dropped and got the best reviews in the Dark Pictures series, so this timing feels about as logical as a horror movie character going into the basement alone. Henrysson must have looked at all that success and thought, “You know what, time to hit the beach.”
The outgoing CEO previously worked his magic at Avalanche Studios Group, where he apparently tripled revenue and profit, so the guy clearly knows his way around a balance sheet. He joined Nordisk Games back in 2022 as a partner before sliding into the big chair at Supermassive Games in 2024, and now he’s heading for the exits like a man who just saw the zombie horde approaching. His plan for the immediate future involves enjoying the summer with his family, which sounds lovely, but also means he’s leaving the studio in the lurch during what should be a victory lap.
Is this really the best time to abandon ship when your latest game is getting standing ovations from critics and fans alike? Supermassive Games is apparently fine with it, though, because Nordisk Games released a statement saying his departure comes at a “natural time” after the game launched. Natural time, sure, just like how getting chased by a chainsaw-wielding maniac is a natural time to start running.
Henrysson Swaps Controller for Beach Chair
Before anyone starts panicking about the future of Supermassive Games, Nordisk Games made sure to praise Henrysson for rebuilding the leadership team and sharpening the studio’s strategy during his brief tenure. He apparently fixed a bunch of stuff behind the scenes and got the ship sailing in the right direction, which is probably why they’re letting him leave without a fight.
The guy is also keeping his “small portfolio of investments” and says he’s open to selected advisory roles, which is executive-speak for “I’ll take your money if you pay me enough to ignore my family.” Could this be the most chill CEO departure in gaming history, because there’s no drama, no scandal, just a guy who wants to drink margaritas and maybe answer a few emails?
Supermassive Games is now in that awkward position where they have to find a new leader right after their biggest win, which is like winning the Super Bowl and then your coach retires to become a fisherman. Henrysson is basically living the dream, leaving on a high note while the rest of us are stuck in our cubicles.
Nordisk Games Plays It Cool
Nordisk Games seems surprisingly unbothered by the whole situation, describing Henrysson’s exit as happening at a “natural time” after Directive 8020’s successful launch. They’re probably thinking that the hard work is already done, and now they just need a caretaker to keep the lights on until the next game rolls around.
But let’s be real, losing your CEO right after a major release is like throwing a party and then the host leaves before the cake is cut. What does this mean for the upcoming projects at Supermassive Games, because there’s always a new horror experience lurking around the corner with this studio?
The leadership team Henrysson rebuilt is still there, so maybe the studio can coast on momentum for a while without a captain at the wheel. Still, it’s never a great look when the person in charge decides that playing with spreadsheets is less fun than playing with their kids in the sandbox.
Summer Break Beats Corporate Life
Robert Henrysson is clearly a man who has his priorities straight, because who wouldn’t choose a summer vacation over the endless stress of running a major game studio? He’s got his investments, he’s got his advisory roles on standby, and he’s got zero interest in sticking around for the next round of corporate meetings about synergies and quarterly forecasts.
The guy joined Supermassive Games, fixed what needed fixing, launched a banger of a game, and then bounced like he was in a “Mission: Impossible” movie with a countdown timer. Is there a lesson here about knowing when to call it quits and enjoy the fruits of your labor, because Henrysson seems to have mastered that art perfectly?
Supermassive Games is left to figure out their next move, but at least they’ve got a shiny new game to distract everyone from the sudden leadership vacuum. Henrysson is probably sipping something fruity right now, laughing at the rest of us who thought he’d stick around for the sequel.
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