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It is the end of an era: [Ralph Stock](/person/ralph-stock_1), founder of [Sixteen Tons Entertainment](/company/sixteen-tons-entertainment), is stepping down from his position as CEO. He will be replaced on 1 August by Jan Richter as the new CEO of the development studio based in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Richter brings with him experience from Electronic Arts, Bigpoint, Migty Bear Games and ZeptoLab, among others: "I’m really excited to take on the leadership of Sixteen Tons Entertainment and continue the amazing work Ralph has done. Using my background in F2P and mobile games, I can’t wait to help this fantastic studio grow even more and achieve new milestones." 

Sixteen Tons Entertainment is best known for the Energency series, which Stock and his team have been developing for over 25 years. Sixteen Tons Entertainment is the flagship brand of Promotion Software, established in 1993. 

Ralph Stock sold the company to Phoenix Games, the investment company of Gameforge co-founder [Klaas Kersting](/person/klaas-kersting). "With Jan, we've found the perfect person to kick off a new chapter in the studio's long and successful history," says Klaas Kersting. "Jan brings the perfect expertise to guide Sixteen Tons Entertainment into a bright future. With years of experience leading teams in developing new free-to-play games, he knows how to keep live operations running smoothly and sustainably at a high level. I'm confident that the studio will continue to create outstanding games that will captivate both longtime fans and new players across various platforms."

"I look back with gratitude and a bit of pride on the past three decades, where we've created innovative games that have delighted players worldwide. With the Emergance franchise, we've certainly brought fresh ideas to the real-time strategy genre and established a brand that has endured," says Ralph Stock, founder and former CEO. "I am pleased to hand over the studio to Jan's capable hands. It feels reassuring to know that my life's work will be carried on by Phoenix and Sixteen Tons. I look forward to many more successful games from this outstanding team."


Jan Richter Succeeds Ralph Stock as CEO of Sixteen Tons Entertainment