Lars Wingefors, the face of Embracer Group’s insane “buy everything that moves” spree, is finally stepping down as CEO. But don’t cue the sad violin just yet—he’s not rage-quitting the boardroom. Starting August 1, 2025, he’ll morph into Executive Chair, focusing on M&A, capital strategy, and long-term moves.
Phil Rogers, Embracer’s current Deputy CEO and the dude who’s been running the Crystal Dynamics–Eidos wing, will take the throne.
This isn’t just a management change—it’s a dramatic gear shift for one of gaming’s most unpredictable empires.
How We Got Here: The Embracer Expansion Saga
Let’s rewind. From 2020 to 2023, Embracer went full Pokémon: gotta catch ‘em all.
- Acquired over 100 studios (yes, triple digits!)
- Scooped up iconic IP like Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Saints Row, and even the rights to Lord of the Rings
- Created a house of cards built on oil money dreams—literally, a $2 billion deal backed by Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group that collapsed harder than a Cyberpunk 2077 launch build
What followed?
- A financial faceplant
- 7,700 layoffs
- 44 studios closed or sold
- 80 games canceled
- And fans/devs shaking their heads like, “Bruh, what even is the plan?”
To quote Wingefors himself: “The road has not always been straight.” Understatement of the decade.
What This Means for Embracer (and Gaming)
This is more than just changing nameplates on the office doors. It’s the official end of the “buy now, plan later” strategy.
🔁 What’s Changing
- Wingefors goes from CEO to strategic puppet master—he’s still calling big plays but won’t be micromanaging dev cycles or internal politics.
- Phil Rogers steps in as the new face. He led Crystal Dynamics through both Rise of the Tomb Raider and the Avengers live-service wobble, so he’s got battle scars.
🔮 What Might Happen Next
- Fewer YOLO acquisitions. More “let’s fix what we broke.”
- Existing IP (Tomb Raider, Dead Island, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, etc.) might finally get consistent support.
- Embracer could actually…start making games people want to play again?
This might also stabilize the 70+ studios still under Embracer’s belt—assuming Rogers can rally devs, plug budget leaks, and stop putting studios in the layoff crosshairs every quarter.
Community Clapback & Hot Takes
Gamers and devs haven’t been quiet:
- Redditors are calling this the “inevitable boss phase” after a loot-hoarding spree.
- Some devs are cautiously optimistic: maybe Rogers brings focus and sustainability.
- Others worry he’ll just be Wingefors v2 in a new suit.
Also: Let’s not ignore the awkward optics of the Saudi money trail. Even if that $2B deal died, Embracer’s dance with controversial funding left a mark.
Final Word: Who’s Respawning and Who’s AFK?
- Wingefors isn’t gone—he’s just changing lanes. Think of him as the mid-game NPC who shows up for the lore dumps and power-ups.
- Rogers is entering a boss fight on Heroic difficulty. Can he save Embracer from its own inventory overload?
Your Turn
Do you think this leadership swap will actually fix anything—or are we just watching a new cutscene in the same buggy game?
Drop your thoughts below. Bonus points if you can name which Embracer studio is next to get fast-travelled out of existence.
