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In preparation for the departure of co-founder and CEO Kai Wawrzinek, Goodgame Studios has appointed former VP of live operations, Oleg Savschouk, as its new CEO.
Goodgame Studios’ founders Christian and Kai Wawrzinek announced their exits in November 2018, as both are moving to "focus on their roles as shareholders of Stillfront" (thanks, GI.biz).
The move sees Savschouk – who’s worked at the studio for the last seven years – assume the German developer’s premier position, while Phillip Knust has been promoted from director of products to chief product officer. Both will move into their new positions on March 1st, 2019.
“It is a privilege to lead this fundamentally strong company with iconic products and talent," said Savschouk. "Phillip and I will be working very hard in the coming years to further expand our brands. We will move with urgency and intense commitment to continue to drive revenue and profits for Goodgame and the Stillfront Group. I see an exciting future for Goodgame with profitable growth and more great products to come. I am eager to get going."
There’s been a lot of movement in senior positions across the industry of late. Only last week, founder and chief creative officer of Avalanche Studios, Christofer Sundberg, announced he was leaving the company at the end of April 2019 after founding the studio sixteen years ago. Additionally, Nintendo of America has announced that its long-standing president Reggie Fils-Aime is retiring on April 15th to spend "more time with [his] wife, family and friends". He will be succeeded by current senior VP of sales and marketing, Doug Bowser on April 15th, 2019. Nick Chavez will, in turn, succeed Doug Bowser as senior VP of sales and marketing.
And there’s more. Improbable recently appointed ex-Dreamworks Animation & EA Mobile CTO Lincoln Wallen as its new as chief technology officer. Wallen’s appointment will see current CTO and co-founder Rob Whitehead focus on developing SpatialOS and other Improbable technology products as Chief Product Officer. Improbable’s former chief creative officer, Bill Roper, has announced that he will be leaving the company for a new role at indie gaming studio, Author Digital.
