Paradox Interactive names Mattias Lilja CEO as Fredrik Wester moves to board
Published 11 Nov 2026 · Games Atlas Editorial · Executive Appointment & Departure · Companies: Paradox Interactive
Games Atlas summary: Paradox Interactive named Deputy CEO Mattias Lilja as its next CEO on November 11, 2026. Lilja takes over on January 4, 2027, succeeding Fredrik Wester. Wester moves to the board and remains Paradox's largest shareholder. Lilja pledged further investment in core franchises including Cities: Skylines, Hearts of Iron IV and Stellaris.
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Games Atlas — Games Industry Intelligence (2026). Paradox Interactive names Mattias Lilja CEO as Fredrik Wester moves to board. Published 11 Nov 2026. https://gamesatlas.app/article/paradox-interactive-names-mattias-lilja-ceo-as-fredrik-wester-moves-to-board
A handover timed to a completed reset
- Wester returned as CEO in 2021 to reset a company he said "needed a reset."
- He brought Lilja back with him at that time to help turn things around.
- Wester says the strategy, pipeline and commercial offering have since been rebuilt.
- He will stay on the board to focus on long-term development.
Lilja's track record sits inside the core portfolio
- Lilja joined Paradox in 2009 as its first producer, before leading studio and publishing organizations and serving as COO.
- He became Deputy CEO in April 2024.
- Paradox credits his leadership with the franchises that anchor the current lineup: Cities: Skylines, Hearts of Iron IV and Stellaris.
- Lilja said he will make further investments in the core business and sharpen the organization around player value.
The financial backdrop to the transition
- Paradox reported a 162% decline in operating profit earlier this year.
- The decline followed the poor performance of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2.
- Paradox wrote down the game's costs to SEK 355.3 million, $35.6 million.
- Chairman Håkan Sjunnesson cited Lilja's "deep operational and commercial expertise" in naming him CEO.