The gaming community has witnessed another significant shakeup within the executive ranks of Yggdrasil, a prominent name in the online gaming industry. Barely a year after taking on the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Yggdrasil, Marek Smolarek has parted ways with the company. His departure was publicly announced on his LinkedIn page, where Smolarek shared his readiness for new challenges and his openness to senior managerial roles in software engineering, indicating an eagerness to embark on his next professional journey.
Before stepping into the world of Yggdrasil, Smolarek honed his credentials through a series of senior roles. He served as the Director of Engineering at Crimson Pine Games and briefly as the Head of Internal Tools at Ten Square Games, accumulating a wealth of experience. Additionally, his tenure at Huuuge Games, where he worked as R&D Director of Business Applications, further solidified his reputation as a capable leader within the tech space. His career also includes time spent with itCraft back in his native Poland, showcasing a well-rounded background in technological innovation.
Smolarek’s announcement comes close on the heels of another significant exit from Yggdrasil, adding to a growing pattern of leadership changes. Last month, the gaming provider bid farewell to Mark McGinley, who left his position as Chief Product Officer after just half a year with Yggdrasil. His tenure was similarly brief as Chief Gaming Officer at the firm. McGinley brought to the table an extensive background that includes holding the CEO position at FunFair Games, serving as the Director of Game Studios at Entain, and guiding the creative direction in roles such as Programme Director at RNG Foundry and Game Studio Lead at Casumo.
In a poignant LinkedIn post, McGinley expressed heartfelt gratitude for the time spent with his colleagues at Yggdrasil, citing his reflections on career goals and recent executive team changes as factors in his decision to step down. Both he and Smolarek have refrained from disclosing detailed reasons behind their departures, keeping the industry speculating about the underlying causes for this leadership outflow.
These exits herald the structural changes Yggdrasil has undergone since James Curwen was appointed CEO in August last year. With an official start in October, Curwen succeeded Bjorn Krantz, bringing with him an extensive résumé including his previous role as Chief Online Officer at OPAP, CEO of Golden Rock Studios, and Chief Gaming Officer at Superbet, in addition to nearly six years in various senior positions at William Hill.
Yggdrasil has recently implemented a strategic reorganization aimed at consolidating its Product and Programmes and Studio verticals into a unified Gaming division. The restructure is intended to foster transparency, efficiency, and more agile content delivery — all while enhancing focus on player and operator requirements. McGinley’s now-vacated role as Chief Gaming Officer was a result of this reorganization.
Additionally, Yggdrasil has been navigating regulatory issues, having been fined SEK300,000 by Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, for supplying content to an unlicensed website. While Yggdrasil addressed the resulting breach of contract and resolved the issue, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges within the gambling industry and stresses the importance of regulatory compliance.
As Yggdrasil continues to adapt to its evolving internal landscape and the external pressures of the market, these executive changes mark a pivotal moment for the company. With new leadership and vision, the organization hopes to steer through these transitional times and maintain its standing as a trusted and innovative provider in the gaming industry.
