Paradox boss Frederik Wester stepping down after several tumultuous years for the Cities Skylines and Stellaris publisher
eurogamer.net Nov 12, 2026

Paradox boss Frederik Wester stepping down after several tumultuous years for the Cities Skylines and Stellaris publisher

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Paradox Interactive announced that CEO Frederik Wester will step down on 4 January 2027, after a combined 15 years at the helm. Wester, who joined the Swedish publisher in 2003 and served two CEO terms (2009‑2018 and 2021‑2026), will remain on the board to oversee a smooth transition. Deputy CEO Mattias Lilja, credited with helping rebuild Paradox’s pipeline and commercial strategy, will assume the chief executive role. Wester’s tenure saw a mixed record: the company launched successful titles such as Crusader Kings 3 and Stellaris, but also endured high‑profile setbacks including the troubled release of Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2, the cancellation of Life By You, and a 162 percent drop in operating profit after the former’s commercial failure. The leadership change follows internal culture investigations and a series of project disruptions that have strained the studio’s reputation.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The shift places a proven internal strategist at the helm just as Paradox seeks to recover from recent product failures and restore investor confidence.