Long-time hobby games entrepreneur, designer, and industry veteran Christian T. Petersen told staff this week that he would be stepping down from his role as CEO of Asmodee North America at the end of 2018. Petersen, 46, founded Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) in 1995 and served as its CEO until FFG’s merger with Asmodee in 2014, at which time he moved into his current role.
“After nearly twenty years with FFG and four years with Asmodee, I’ve seen our
market go through tremendous change and amazing growth. Tabletop games have
been accepted into the fabric of society and represented in pop-culture more
positively than anyone could have hoped for when I joined the industry. I feel fortunate
to have experienced this phenomenon first-hand, and to have been part of such an
incredible journey.“Now it’s time to hand the reins to a new generation of leaders who along with the
amazing staff at Asmodee North America and its studios (Catan, Days of Wonder,
FFG, Heidelbär, Plaid Hat, and Z-Man), will move forward with their own unique
energy and vision. I have no doubt that they’ll be better, burn brighter, and achieve
ever more fantastic things. I can’t wait to see what they’ll do, and to play what they’ll
make.“The games to be released from our U.S. studios over the next 6-12 months,
represent the final game products in which I have played a part. I could not have
hoped for a more innovative, more commercially exciting, or more satisfying finale.“I leave to focus on family, health, and the pursuit of other interests. My departure has
been long-planned with the Asmodee Group CEO, and my friend, Stephane Carville.“I’m proud to leave Asmodee North America in extraordinarily capable hands. I’ll
always be grateful to my terrific colleagues and business partners over the years, and
most especially to the players. I could not have done it without you, but I’m sure you
can do it without me.”During his tenure, Petersen provided vision, guidance, and creative input on hundreds of
game titles, and was the lead designer on several popular games, including Twilight Imperium
and A Game of Thrones: The Board Game. As a business leader, Petersen was among the
first to pioneer international co-manufacturing of U.S. tabletop games, and forged successful
alliances, partnerships, and licensing relationships with a wide array of persons and
organizations.
As Petersen exits his role, Asmodee North America will transition into two distinct business units: Asmodee North America Publishing led by Steve Horvath, and Asmodee North America Distribution led by Andre Kieren. We wish Petersen well.
