Klemens Kundratitz Bids Farewell: A Legacy of 31 Years at Plaion
Klemens Kundratitz, co-founder and CEO of Plaion, is resigning and is likely to hand over the leadership of the Embracer-owned company to Phil Rogers.
Kundratitz has been a part of Plaion (previously known as Koch Media) for 31 years. He established the company in 1994 to distribute software in Germany, Austria, and the UK.
Since its inception, Plaion has evolved into a global entity focusing on game development, international publishing, and distribution. It currently employs over 2000 individuals across 15 countries and was acquired by Embracer in 2018.
The company is arguably best recognized in the gaming sector for working on franchises such as Metro, Dying Light, and Kingdom Come.
Kundratitz’s successor holds several positions within Embracer Group and was recently appointed to oversee the creation of the newly-formed ‘Middle-earth & Friends’ unit– which was launched following a series of significant layoffs, studio shut-downs, and project cancellations.
“I’m thrilled to pass on my CEO responsibilities to Phil. I am confident he will excel in this role, as he possesses the right leadership qualities and vision to nurture Middle-earth & Friends, while maintaining Plaion’s strong momentum,” said Kundratitz.
“It has been a true honor to lead this company, and I feel privileged to have collaborated with our remarkable teams around the globe. I could not have asked for a more exhilarating and fulfilling role in the entertainment sector, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together.”
Although Kundratitz will be stepping away from his CEO position, he will begin a new role at Embracer as a strategic advisor starting in April 2025.
Rogers expressed admiration for his predecessor and characterized Plaion as a “foundation of the European entertainment sector.”
“I’m eager to start collaborating closely with Plaion’s leadership team as we develop our new business unit Middle-earth & Friends,” he stated.
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Chris Kerr, the news editor for Game Developer, is an award-winning writer and journalist with more than a decade of experience in the gaming industry. His byline has appeared in prominent print and digital outlets like Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Over the course of his career, Chris has covered key industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Brighton Game Jam. He has participated as a judge for The Game Star Awards multiple times and has appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.