Hjalmar Vikström, the Chief Development Officer and a founding member of the cooperative horror game studio 10 Chambers, has left the company. His departure concludes a tenure of nearly eleven years at the studio he helped establish.
The news was confirmed through a report by GamesIndustry.biz. Vikström served as a key figure in the studio’s development leadership, contributing to its flagship project, the intense cooperative first-person shooter GTFO.
Background on 10 Chambers and Its Founders
10 Chambers Collective was founded in 2015 by a group of developers with notable industry experience. The founding team included several former members of the now-defunct studio Overkill Software, known for the Payday series. Hjalmar Vikström was among this core group, bringing development expertise to the ambitious new venture.
The studio quickly gained attention for its debut title, GTFO, which entered early access on the Steam platform in December 2019. The game is renowned for its high difficulty, atmospheric horror, and deep emphasis on teamwork and strategy, cultivating a dedicated player base.
Leadership Transition and Studio Operations
With Vikström’s exit, the remaining leadership at 10 Chambers will manage ongoing development and future projects. The studio has not publicly announced an immediate replacement for the Chief Development Officer role. Internal restructuring of development responsibilities is a common step following the departure of a senior executive.
10 Chambers continues to support GTFO with updates and has been actively working on its next major project. The studio announced it is developing a new cooperative heist game, codenamed “Project Baxter,” which is described as a “heist FPS” set in a new science-fiction universe.
Industry Context of Executive Moves
Executive and founder departures are a regular occurrence within the video game industry, often attributed to natural career progression, the conclusion of major projects, or a desire to pursue new opportunities. Such changes can signal a new phase for a company, but do not necessarily indicate internal strife.
The impact of a co-founder’s departure varies. It can affect a studio’s creative direction, operational dynamics, and public perception. However, many studios successfully navigate these transitions by relying on established teams and clear long-term visions.
For 10 Chambers, the departure of Vikström marks the end of a significant chapter. The studio’s ability to maintain its development roadmap for GTFO and successfully execute on “Project Baxter” will be closely watched by its community and industry observers.
Looking ahead, the focus for 10 Chambers will be on ensuring a stable transition and maintaining development momentum. The studio is expected to continue its communication with players regarding updates to GTFO and will likely share more concrete details about “Project Baxter” as it progresses toward its announced 2025 release window. The long-term creative and operational structure of the studio following this leadership change will become clearer in the coming months.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
