In the Hot Seat: Hilmar Pétursson on Eve Online's $120m buyback and the games industry's unplanned disassembly

Summary

In the latest episode of In the Hot Seat, Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games (now renamed Fenris), sat down to discuss the Icelandic studio behind Eve Online. Pétursson joined the then-CCP Games as CTO in 2000 and became CEO in 2004, leading the company for over two decades through changing markets and shifting ambitions. The conversation covers the recent $120 million share buyback, a move seen as a confident statement about Eve Online's long-term vitality, and one that has sparked speculation among players about the game's future direction. More strikingly, Pétursson offers his perspective on what he calls the industry's 'unplanned disassembly' - a period of structural turbulence marked by studio closures, layoffs, and fading player attention. He also explains the rationale behind the studio's third name change, to Fenris, signaling a new era while reaffirming continuity for Eve Online operations. The interview provides valuable insight into how a veteran leader navigates industry-wide disruption, and what it means for the beloved spacefaring MMO. For players and industry observers alike, this is a conversation worth paying attention to.