Paradox Interactive CEO Ebba Ljungerud has resigned effective immediately. Replacing Ljungerud will be former CEO Fredrik Wester, who left that position back in 2018 to become Paradox's chairman of the board.
Paradox didn't provide much as to why the swap was happening. "Due to differing views on the company's strategy going forward, Paradox Interactive AB’s CEO Ebba Ljungerud has decided to leave the CEO position with immediate effect," the company wrote in a statement, adding that Ljungerud will stay on for a short period "to ensure a good handover."
Wester, who was serving as Paradox's chairman since 2018, resigned his position and appointed deputy chairman Håkan Sjunnesson as the new board leader.
"Ebba has done a fantastic job as CEO of Paradox Interactive," Paradox said. "During her leadership, the organization, player base, and our game projects have been strengthened and grown which gives the company a strong base for future growth. We regret that she has decided to resign but wish her all the best in future endeavors, says Håkan Sjunnesson, Chairman of the Board."
Ljungerud leaves a complicated history at Paradox. While she did lead the company to record growth in 2020, acquiring and building new studios as well as implementing a new paid subscription program for Stellaris and Europa Universalis DLC, reports of poor pay and employee mistreatment also arose under her tenure. This ultimately resulted in Paradox staff forming the first union at a major games publisher.
Her departure is also somewhat mysterious. “Differing views” could mean a lot of things and hints at some unspoken drama in Paradox’s upper echelons. Neither Wester nor Ljungerud are commenting about the shakeup, and if you were to check their social media profiles, you’d think that everything is entirely copacetic.