The CEO of Arrowhead Switches Roles Within Studio
Since the release of Helldivers 2, the CEO of Arrowhead, Johan Pilestedt, has been actively engaged with players, collecting feedback, and taking necessary actions. However, he recently announced that he will be stepping down from his position, making way for the new CEO, Shams Jorjani.
Transition to a Dedicated CEO
In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, Pilestedt explained his decision to hire a dedicated CEO to focus more on game creation. He mentioned that over the past year, leading up to the launch of Helldivers 2, he found himself being pulled towards the business side of things, leaving less time for creative work. Recognizing the need for a shift, he chose to step down as CEO and take on the role of chief creative officer within Arrowhead.
Increased Involvement in Helldivers 2
With his new role, Pilestedt will be able to dedicate more time to working on Helldivers 2 and being actively involved in its community. In response to fan comments, he expressed his commitment to addressing weapon balance and other in-game issues that have been raised.
Focusing on Player Feedback
Pilestedt shared his approach to reviewing player feedback, emphasizing the importance of having developers spend more time playing the game to make informed decisions. He also highlighted the need to understand the sentiment behind the feedback and create a holistic view. One area of focus is the time-to-kill (TTK) in Helldivers 2, which Pilestedt believes may be too high.
Future Improvements for Helldivers 2
With Pilestedt’s increased involvement, players can expect improvements to weapon balance and other in-game issues that will enhance the overall gaming experience.