Supermassive Games CEO Robert Henrysson Steps Down After Major Changes

In a surprising turn of events, Robert Henrysson, the CEO of Supermassive Games, has announced his departure from the studio just shy of two months after the launch of their latest title, Directive 8020. This news comes alongside his exit from the parent company, Nordisk Games.

In his farewell message shared on LinkedIn, Henrysson expressed gratitude for the journey, stating, “Leading a studio is never a one-man job—it is the entire team’s effort.” He took pride in navigating the studio through significant changes in the gaming landscape and emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in game development. He also praised the Supermassive team for their dedication and creativity, calling them “the greatest storytelling game studio on earth.”

During his tenure, Henrysson was tasked with steering Supermassive toward the successful launch of Directive 8020, which is part of the popular Dark Pictures Anthology. Despite the game’s mixed reception on Steam and fewer reviews compared to prior entries in the series, it was noted for receiving the best critical acclaim of the series to date, a testament to the hard work from the team and Henrysson’s leadership.

However, Henrysson’s time was not without challenges. He led the studio through two rounds of layoffs, the first coming soon after he took over, as Supermassive and the wider gaming industry faced significant turbulence following the pandemic. Many studios found themselves in similar situations, grappling with the aftermath of unprecedented growth during lockdowns.

As he steps back, Henrysson plans to spend some quality time with his family but has hinted at the possibility of taking on advisory roles in the future. He remains passionate about the gaming industry and looks forward to what comes next. The gaming community will surely be watching to see how Supermassive continues to evolve in this new chapter.