Arrowhead CEO steps down, speaks out on Helldivers 2's 'horrifying' threats

Arrowhead Game Studios has fought the storm, and it seems like it's won. The fiasco with PlayStation sign-ins on the Steam version of Helldivers 2 is largely over, and players are getting back to business as usual - beaming bugs and blasting bots. It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.

Sadly, change is coming to Helldivers. As players anticipate a whole new race of baddies to face off against, it seems that a torch is being passed behind the scenes, and it could change the way that the game is managed entirely.

Helldivers 2’s CEO is officially stepping down

As the standing CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios since the launch of Helldivers 2, Johan Pilestedt has done a lot. He's now revealed that he will be stepping down from the role to become the company's Chief Creative Officer.

Pilestedt made the announcement on Twitter, revealing that Shams Jorjani will be taking his place. He says that he's stepped into the new role so he can "spend MORE time with the team and 100% of my focus on the games and community."

It's immediately alarming news to some, but the fact that Pilestedt is sticking around and maintaining an impact behind the scenes is great news for fans, especially as he intends to be even more involved from here on out.

It comes at a curious time, though, as a new interview has revealed that he's had to deal with plenty of flak in his time as CEO.

Johan Pilestedt speaks out on 'sh**ty individuals' in the Helldivers 2 community

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The news of his departure as CEO comes as GamesIndustry.biz shares a new interview with Pilestedt, where he admits that he’s struggled against the more unkind players of Helldivers 2, but he's taken a great attitude to deal with it.

Speaking on the successes of Helldivers 2, Pilestedt says, "The big difference now, which is horrifying, is the amount of threats and rude behaviour that people in the studio are getting from some really sh**ty individuals within the community.

"That’s something new we have to deal with. If you don't have those lows, you can't get those highs."

Pilestedt has been something of a beacon and rallying point for fans, so his stepping into a new role means great things for the future of Helldivers 2. Godspeed, Pilestedt, and best of luck to Jorjani in filling his boots.