Supermassive Games is undergoing another major leadership change as CEO Robert Henrysson has announced his departure from the acclaimed horror game studio.
What will happen next for the future of "Until Dawn" and other games?
Henrysson Steps Down As Supermassive CEO
Henrysson, who served as CEO for more than two years, shared the news in a heartfelt LinkedIn post, thanking the development team for their creativity, passion, and dedication throughout his tenure.
"Today marks the end of a very rewarding chapter of my professional life," Henrysson wrote. He also confirmed that he is stepping down from his role as a partner at Nordisk Games, the gaming division of Nordisk Film, which acquired Supermassive Games in 2022.
Despite the transition, Henrysson expressed confidence in the studio's future, describing Supermassive as "the greatest storytelling game studio on earth."
Supermassive Games Built Its Reputation on Interactive Horror
Founded in 2008, Supermassive Games became one of the leading developers of narrative-driven horror titles. The studio earned worldwide recognition with "Until Dawn," released exclusively for PlayStation in 2015.
The game introduced a branching narrative where player choices determined which characters survived, helping define Supermassive's signature storytelling style.
The success of "Until Dawn" led to the creation of "The Dark Pictures Anthology," a series of standalone horror games featuring cinematic storytelling and player-driven decisions. The studio later released The Quarry in 2022, which received praise for its performances and production values while continuing its interactive horror formula.
Leadership Changes Follow a Difficult Period
According to Polygon, Henrysson's departure comes after a challenging period for the studio. Earlier in 2024, company founders Pete Samuels and Joe Samuels stepped down after leading Supermassive Games for more than a decade.
The developer also underwent restructuring, with dozens of employees affected by layoffs. In 2025, Supermassive confirmed job cuts while delaying the release of Directive 8020, the latest entry in "The Dark Pictures Anthology."
The game eventually launched to mixed reviews, with critics praising its visuals and atmosphere but noting that it did not significantly evolve the series' established gameplay formula.
'Until Dawn 2' Keeps the Franchise Moving Forward
Despite internal changes, the 'Until Dawn" franchise continues to expand. Sony has officially announced "Until Dawn 2," although Supermassive Games is not leading development. Instead, the sequel is being developed by Firesprite Games, another PlayStation Studios developer.
The standalone sequel introduces a new cast of characters and a fresh horror story set on a mysterious tropical island. Actors Dacre Montgomery, Neil Newbon, Gavin Leatherwood, and Tanner Buchanan headline the cast, continuing the franchise's tradition of cinematic storytelling with recognizable talent.
