Supermassive Games CEO Steps Down After Directive 8020 Launch

Supermassive Games is entering another leadership transition after chief executive officer Robert Henrysson announced that he is stepping down from the studio. The move comes only months after the release of Directive 8020, the latest entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology.

Nordisk Games, the parent company connected to Supermassive, confirmed that Graeme Law will take over as interim leader while the studio searches for a permanent replacement. Henrysson had been leading Supermassive Games since 2024 after joining Nordisk Games as a partner in 2022.

His departure follows a demanding period for the studio, which has worked on several major projects while also dealing with layoffs, release changes, and mixed reception for its latest games.

Robert Henrysson Led Supermassive Through a Difficult Period

Henrysson joined Supermassive Games after previously serving as chairman and chief executive officer at Avalanche Studios. During his time at Supermassive, he worked on rebuilding the leadership team, refining the studio’s strategy, and overseeing the completion of Directive 8020.

The game launched in May 2026 after being delayed from its earlier 2025 release window. The delay came after Supermassive went through another round of layoffs, which added further pressure to the studio’s production schedule.

Directive 8020 received a better critical response than earlier entries in The Dark Pictures Anthology, according to Nordisk Games. However, reviews remained mixed overall, with the game currently holding a 72 score on Metacritic.

Henrysson thanked the Supermassive team in his public statement and described the role as an important chapter in his career. He also praised the studio’s storytelling work and said the team’s commitment to improvement remained central to its progress.

Directive 8020 Arrived After a Major Delay

Directive 8020 was meant to continue Supermassive’s long running focus on cinematic horror games where decisions can shape the story, character survival, and ending. The game moved the anthology into a science fiction setting, with a story involving shapeshifting alien threats and deep space horror.

The release was important for Supermassive because it marked the studio’s return to The Dark Pictures Anthology after a period of uncertainty. However, its reception showed that the company still faces challenges in maintaining the quality and impact of its earlier successes.

Supermassive built much of its reputation through Until Dawn, which became one of the most recognized interactive horror games of the last decade. It later expanded that formula through The Quarry and The Dark Pictures Anthology, while also working on licensed projects.

Little Nightmares 3 Also Received a Mixed Response

The studio’s other recent major project, Little Nightmares 3, also received a mixed reaction. The game currently sits near Directive 8020 in critical reception, with a Metacritic score around 71.

That makes the leadership change more significant. Supermassive now needs to decide how it will strengthen its future releases while continuing to develop its identity in an increasingly competitive horror game market.

The studio is also no longer responsible for every project connected to its older franchises. Until Dawn is continuing under Firesprite Games, which is developing the recently announced Until Dawn 2.

For Supermassive, the next chief executive officer will inherit a studio with a strong history in cinematic horror but a clear need to rebuild momentum after several difficult years.