Mafia 3's Hanger 13 Studio Head and Founder Haden Blackman Steps Down After 7 Years

ign.com:

Mafia 3 developer Hanger 13's studio head and founder Haden Blackman is stepping down from the company and 2K after seven years.

Blackman will be replaced by Nick Baynes, who has 30 years of industry leadership experience and joined Hanger 13 in 2018 to start Hanger 13 Brighton. He was responsible for launching Mafia: Definitive Edition and the Mafia Trilogy.

Blackman spent his early game development years at LucasArts and was a producer on Star Wars: Galaxies, the project lead on Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and more. He also wrote several Star Wars comics, including Jango Fett: Open Seasons, Star Wars: Starfighter, and Darth Vader & The Ghost Prison.

While Blackman's next move was not revealed, 2K did share that he is leaving the company to "pursue his passion at a new endeavor."

2K shared the internal announcement of Blackman's departure with IGN, which shares 2K's gratefulness for "Haden's leadership in establishing Hangar 13, building and uniting teams in Novato, Brighton and Czech, and releasing multiple studio-defining Mafia games and collections."

"Hello team, It's with mixed emotions that I share with you several leadership updates from Hangar 13," 2K's internal announcement reads. "Haden Blackman is stepping down as Studio Head of Hangar 13, and is leaving the company to pursue his passion at a new endeavor.

"We are grateful for Haden's leadership in establishing Hangar 13, building and uniting teams in Novato, Brighton and Czech, and releasing multiple studio-defining Mafia games and collections. What Haden helped build will continue to carry forward and grow for years to come. We support all of our employees pursuing their passions, and we wish nothing but the best for him in what's next.

"Nick Baynes, Studio