The Swedish game studio behind the iconic Payday series has announced major leadership changes. Adolph Kristiansson, former top executive at Electronic Arts where he oversaw global commercial strategy, has been appointed as the new CEO. In his first interview, he outlined plans to transform the company into a multi-project game studio.

This appointment comes as a response to the crisis following Payday 3's disastrous launch. Former CEO Tobias Sjögren stepped down after the project faced technical issues and massive player criticism. The financial results were catastrophic - Starbreeze reported record losses of $20 million for 2024.

Nevertheless, the studio isn't giving up:

  • Development continues on an ambitious Dungeons & Dragons project
  • Work is underway to revive Payday 3 (its PlayStation Plus giveaway temporarily boosted stats)
  • Plans are in place to expand the portfolio with new IPs

It's a great honor to lead Starbreeze at this pivotal moment. Our priority isn't just to save Payday, but to create a sustainable project ecosystem. I'm particularly excited about working on D&D - this franchise will receive our special attention.

Chairman of the Board Jürgen Göldner expressed confidence that the new EA-experienced leader can steer the company out of crisis:

We conducted an exhaustive search and found the ideal candidate who combines gaming industry expertise with business acumen.

Experts note Kristiansson faces a complex challenge - he must simultaneously:

  • Repair the reputational damage from Payday 3
  • Launch a successful D&D project
  • Diversify the studio's portfolio

The first management reshuffles have already begun - the company's new development strategy is expected to be announced in coming weeks.

Main image: wallpapercave.com

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