Today EA have announced that their Chief Design Officer Patrick Söderlund, a figure who will be familiar to those who have watched the EA Play press conferences, is set to leave the company. This move marks the end to the twelve year link between Patrick and the company.
The news was announced today on EA’s official website in a post released by CEO Andrew Wilson which thanked the 44 year old for his service to the publisher. Söderlund made his first entry into the gaming industry as CEO of DICE shortly after the turn of the century, playing a role in the production of games such as Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 1942 . EA’s acquisition of DICE in 2006 resulted in his appointment as Executive Vice President of Electronic Arts, a role where he was responsible for overseeing their worldwide studios and the progress of the companies various games in development. He then gained one final promotion to Chief Design Officer at EA, the role in which he will end his tenure at the company.
What has not been made clear either in the released statement on the company’s website, nor by Söderlund himself, is the reason behind his departure from the company or the destination of his next job, whether that be within the games industry or not.
Although it’s doubtful that this will cause any noticeable difference in the company’s output of games, or the business strategies they use, it is always interesting when a big personnel change occurs, especially when it affects one of the largest publishers in the industry.
Published: Aug 14, 2018 07:29 pm