Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO - PlanetSide Universe
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Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

A short time ago it was revealed on VentureBeat that long time Daybreak/SOE CEO John Smedley has stepped down.

“I can confirm that John Smedley will be taking some time off from the company for the near-term and transitioning to a different role to be determined,” a spokesperson for Daybreak told GamesBeat. “Upon finalization of his plans, further communication will be provided.”

COO Russell Shanks will step in as president of the company. We have John to thank for really pushing PlanetSide in the early days, and PlanetSide 2 most recently, he was always an FPS fan at heart and was a huge part of bringing these games to market. He will be transitioning to a different role presumably at Daybreak and we wish him luck on his future endeavours.

15 comments
2015-07-22 10:39 PM
Source: VentureBeat
Latest Comments
2015-07-22 10:39 PM
Hamma
Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

http://www.planetside-universe.com/n...s-ceo-3105.htm
2015-07-22 10:47 PM
Hamma
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

On a personal note, I very much have John to thank for helping to make this site what it is. It may not be much now, but early on in PlanetSide 2 he was a huge force in making sure we were a part of development and helping to provide us with exclusive content. Despite what some may think of him he is in fact a good dude on a mission to bring games to the masses. It's sad to see what the internet has de-evolved in to the past few years, I know I for one wouldn't want to be in his position.

I'm happy to call him a personal friend of mine and wish him luck on whatever is ahead of him.
2015-07-23 02:51 AM
MartinasBuddy
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

long live the great smedlonious!
2015-07-23 04:02 AM
ringring
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

He's always seemed like a good guy and someone who's heart is in the right place. Because of his high profile and willingness to engage with his customers over the years he's received more than his fair share of brickbats thrown at him.

Good luck to him for the future and I'l always be grateful for Planetside, the best game of all-time.
2015-07-23 08:44 AM
Calista
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

I wonder what type role he would be interested in coming back to? After being CEO for so long, anything other than that is a demotion. But then again that might be what he wants to get out of the limelight so to speak. I certainly wish him the best in the future wherever and whatever that may be. And best wishes to the new CEO also.
2015-07-23 10:00 AM
Hamma
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

I was wondering that as well. I'm not really sure how effective he would be in any other role after being CEO for so many years. It just seems like it would be an odd situation for anyone working there or working with him.
2015-07-23 11:40 AM
QuiCKaNdDeaDLy
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

Im so happy he is gone...
This Man is responsible for many Years of constant lies to our Community and his decisions ruined multiply of my Favourite Games of the Past.
Im so happy he is gone...
2015-07-23 06:42 PM
p0intman
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

This can only be a benefit.
2015-07-23 08:05 PM
Rivenshield
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

*ding dong the wicked witch is dead*
2015-07-24 02:31 PM
Canaris
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

I shall wish him well, don't agree with Lizards squads constant harassment of him on a personal level that lead to this. that kind of stuff ain't on.
Though that maybe some "new" blood at the top might revitalise DB and get some much need changes to Planetside made, I'll travel in hope even if I never arrive.
2015-07-24 02:58 PM
OpolE
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

He seemed alright but I saw a lot of antagonizing tweets from him.

Need a new person in who understands it's not all about money. Because EQ got their EMULATOR approval and now we want Planetside 1!
2015-07-24 07:13 PM
Aveox
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

Originally Posted by Hamma View Post
I was wondering that as well. I'm not really sure how effective he would be in any other role after being CEO for so many years. It just seems like it would be an odd situation for anyone working there or working with him.
I'm working at a sister company at the moment where my project leader is the former CEO of that company. He stepped down about a year ago and seems to like it a lot so far. I can imagine being CEO and having to deal with so many monkeys on your back all the time it can be refreshing to put your mind on just a couple of projects and really get involved.
2015-07-25 04:09 AM
ringring
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

Yea but remember Smedley co-founded Radant which became SOE. He oulwd have been responsible for EQ only the second mmo and the game that really kicked it all off.

As far as I'm concerned he supported the development of PS, a game that was ahead of it's time in many ways. I'm only sorry that the gap between ps1 and ps2 is so great.

I read so many things about both promises and errors made but hardly no one references all the things that went well, SOE made great games that many many people played and identified with but nothing and no one is ever 100% right all the time and it's unreasonable to expect them to be.
2015-07-25 08:04 AM
Calista
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

Originally Posted by ringring View Post
Yea but remember Smedley co-founded Radant which became SOE. He oulwd have been responsible for EQ only the second mmo and the game that really kicked it all off.

As far as I'm concerned he supported the development of PS, a game that was ahead of it's time in many ways. I'm only sorry that the gap between ps1 and ps2 is so great.

I read so many things about both promises and errors made but hardly no one references all the things that went well, SOE made great games that many many people played and identified with but nothing and no one is ever 100% right all the time and it's unreasonable to expect them to be.
Not Radant... Verant.

PS2 suffers from being too ambitious on several fronts like too many players on a continent which causes severe performance issues, to lacking imagination like a simple default never-ending TDM play mode. I loved and played PS1 for many years but wasn't looking for an upgraded graphics version to be PS2. Wanted an evolved version of it not Battlefield. Free to play drove this game in a large part to be what it is and I loathe it.

I hope Daybreak can come up with some creativity in the future because without it they wont have one.
2015-07-25 11:28 AM
ringring
Re: Daybreak's John Smedley Steps Down as CEO

Originally Posted by Calista View Post
Not Radant... Verant.
.
Oops!
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