Crytek announced that Hannes Seifert will join the company’s management team as the new co-CEO on January 1, 2026.
Hannes Seifert will focus on the business areas of Game Production and Publishing, whereas Crytek’s founder and CEO, Avni Yerli, will continue to be responsible for the strategic direction and further development of the company.
Seifert joins the management team, also consisting of COO Christopher Schmitz, CTO Clive Gratton, and CFO Volker Vorbrodt.
The company continues to focus on the development and publishing of the award-winning live-service game Hunt: Showdown 1896, which reached the 10 million player mark worldwide in fall 2025, as well as the in-house developed CRYENGINE.
With nearly four decades of industry expertise as founder and director at Rockstar Games, Deep Silver, IO Interactive, and others, and after more than eight years in the publishing business at Riot Games, Hannes Seifert returns to a development studio and will work with Avni Yerli to expand and shape Crytek‘s future.
“By extending our management team, we want to strengthen and further expand Crytek’s position on the market.
In particular, we will drive growth in key global markets with our publishing and game services. The continuous success of Hunt: Showdown 1896 and our ongoing commitment to further development of CRYENGINE form a strong foundation for the future of our company.
Hannes will set the course for sustainable growth as the new co-CEO.”
Crytek Co-Owner and CEO Avni Yerli
