Significant leadership changes have hit the studio behind the upcoming sci-fi RPG Exodus. As reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Hasbro has officially confirmed the departure of James Ohlen—co-founder of Archetype Entertainment and one of the primary creative architects of the project.
For RPG enthusiasts, Ohlen is a legendary figure; his storied career at BioWare saw him play a pivotal role in the creation of genre-defining titles such as Baldur’s Gate, Dragon Age, and Mass Effect.
According to Abby Hodes, Hasbro’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, the transition was entirely amicable:
“At this stage, James decided that his foundational work on the game was complete, leaving the final development and polishing in the reliable hands of our production teams.”
The company further clarified that Ohlen personally requested a shift in his creative focus to return to his roots in tabletop RPGs. Despite stepping down from Archetype, he will maintain a relationship with Hasbro as a creative consultant.
Simultaneously, Hasbro is bolstering its executive team: Paul Della Bitta—a Blizzard veteran and co-founder of Dreamhaven—has been appointed as the new head of Wizards of the Coast Digital Ventures. He will report directly to John Hight, President of Wizards of the Coast.
In development since 2019, Exodus has weathered several delays and is currently slated for release in early 2027. Such a major personnel shift late in the production cycle inevitably raises questions about the project’s creative consistency and final execution.
Source: iXBT.games