# Crusader Kings publishers Paradox announce CEO swap, say they’re “in a strong position at a time when much of the industry is facing major challenges”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/crusader-kings-publishers-paradox-announce-ceo-swap-say-theyre-in-a-strong-position-at-a-time-when-much-of-the-industry-is-facing-major-challenges/
- Published: 2026-11-13T15:47:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T16:38:16+00:00
- Original publisher: Rock Paper Shotgun
- Original article: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/crusader-kings-publishers-paradox-announce-ceo-swap-say-theyre-in-a-strong-position-at-a-time-when-much-of-the-industry-is-facing-major-challenges
- Topics: Business, Companies

## Key points

- Mattias Lilja becomes Paradox CEO on 4 January.
- Fredrik Wester will remain on the board.
- Lilja faces a mixed record beyond the company’s core strategy games.

## Summary

Paradox Interactive will appoint deputy CEO Mattias Lilja as its chief executive on 4 January, replacing Fredrik Wester. The change puts a long-time company executive in charge as Paradox seeks to build on its strategy-game business and improve its wider record of projects.

Wester, who has led the company in two periods since 2009, will remain on the board and focus on long-term development. Lilja joined in 2009, became chief of staff in 2021 and deputy CEO in 2024; he says Paradox will invest in its core games, improve tools for players and modders, and step up its pace. The company’s recent projects have had mixed results, including *Cities: Skylines 2*, *Bloodlines 2* and the cancelled *Life By You*.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.