James Ohlen is stepping down from his role as head of Archetype Entertainment, the studio developing the upcoming science fiction action RPG Exodus. The leadership change comes as Hasbro Inc. appoints new executive leadership to oversee its expanding video game initiatives under the Wizards of the Coast label, according to reporting from Bloomberg.
Hasbro confirmed that Blizzard veteran and Dreamhaven Inc. co-founder Paul Della Bitta will take over leadership of the Wizards of the Coast Digital Ventures division. He will report to Wizards of the Coast President John Hight, who also previously worked at Blizzard. The company shared the announcement in a statement to Bloomberg on Wednesday, outlining broader organizational changes tied to its long-term gaming strategy.
As part of this transition, Ohlen, who co-founded Archetype Entertainment, will step aside from his leadership position. Hasbro emphasized that the decision was driven by a mutual understanding of the project’s current phase rather than any disruption to development. According to Abby Hodes, vice president of corporate communications for Hasbro, “At this stage, James felt his work on the game was complete and that the polishing and tuning were in great hands with the team.”
Hodes further stated that Ohlen had “asked to shift his creative focus” toward tabletop roleplaying games. While he is no longer leading Archetype Entertainment, Ohlen will remain involved with the company in an advisory capacity, staying on as a creative consultant. This allows him to continue contributing creatively while redirecting his primary focus within Hasbro’s broader portfolio.
Exodus is currently in development as a AAA science fiction action-adventure role-playing game at Archetype Entertainment, a studio formed by veterans from BioWare, Blizzard, and Naughty Dog. Set 40,000 years in the future, the game centers on a protagonist known as The Traveler and incorporates a time dilation mechanic where short missions result in decades passing for characters left behind. The title is now officially targeting an early 2027 release and is planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
