Changes happen all the time in the video game industry, that’s honestly how it works. People move up, move down, move on. But it’s usually when something big happens with one of the major companies that people really take notice of the changes. For example, with EA, Patrick Söderlund has been their CDO and other parts of the company for over 20 years, and today, it was revealed by EA that he is leaving the company.
Today we are announcing that Patrick Söderlund has made the decision to move on from EA. After nearly two decades as a pioneer for our company and industry, he will begin a new chapter later this year.
Patrick has been a trusted business partner and a great friend, and his inspiring leadership has had an outstanding impact on EA. As an integral part of the management team for many years – including as head of Worldwide Studios and, most recently, Chief Design Officer – he’s been an agent of change and transformation. From his early vision for Frostbite, which has now become a cornerstone for our technology strategy, to being a champion for Players First experiences, Patrick has always ensured we put creative at the center of everything we do. He has also been unwavering in his commitment to building our pipeline of amazing new games to come, and his fingerprints will be on the experiences that we bring to players well into the future.
EA did outline some of the changes that will be made because of these changes:
A few teams will move within our organization with this change. The SEED team led by Johan Andersson will join our studios group to continue driving advanced design and innovation at the leading edge of games. We’re deepening our focus on user experience, and welcoming Jason Wozencroft to our studios to lead a strong, unified UX approach for our games and services. And with new games and content playing a vital role in our networked future, the EA Originals and EA Partners teams led by Rob Letts will join our Strategic Growth group.
It’s going to be interesting to see how EA changes with the departure of Soderlund, and if it’ll affect certain relationships going forward. Only time will tell.
