Dying Light Franchise Director Tymon Smektała Departs Techland in 2026

Tymon Smektała, the longtime franchise director for Dying Light, has officially announced his departure from developer Techland as of May 2026. As reported by Ken Allsop in our updated coverage, Smektała is stepping down from his position to pursue new professional ventures after a significant tenure overseeing the development of the popular zombie action series.

Tymon Smektała Stepping Down from Techland 2026

Smektała has been a central figure at the Polish studio, serving as a producer on the original Dying Light and Dying Light 2: Stay Human. Since those releases, he has acted as the primary face of the franchise, frequently appearing in promotional materials, interviews, and the "Dying 2 Know" video series to communicate updates to the player base. His departure marks the end of an era for the series, which evolved from the studio's earlier work on Dead Island into a distinct, parkour-focused survival experience.

In a statement shared across his social media channels, Smektała acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. He expressed pride in the work accomplished by the team at Techland, noting that the studio successfully created a unique space within the zombie genre. He specifically thanked the development team for their shared ambition and the community for acting as a "north star" throughout the production process.

Dying Light Series Future After Tymon Smektała

Despite the change in leadership, Techland has indicated that the future of the franchise remains a priority. The studio has recently been active in recruitment, specifically seeking a Lead Online Game Designer to define the structure for new experiences. This suggests that while Smektała is moving on, the technical and creative momentum behind the series continues to move forward.

The most recent installment, Dying Light: The Beast, has received positive reception from critics and fans alike. With an 87% positive rating on Steam, the title has maintained the series' reputation for high-octane, open-world gameplay. Smektała himself has stated that he is confident the franchise is in "great hands" and looks forward to experiencing the next chapter of the story as a player rather than a developer.

Impact on the Community

The community support for the franchise has been a defining factor in its longevity. Smektała’s role was instrumental in bridging the gap between developers and players. By maintaining transparent communication, he helped foster a loyal audience that contributed to the growth of the series. While his departure is a notable shift, the studio's commitment to the franchise's core mechanics—parkour, combat, and exploration—appears unchanged.

For those interested in the history of the series, you can view our Techland development history or check out our Dying Light franchise updates for more information on upcoming patches and content.

Contextualizing the Franchise Growth

The Dying Light franchise has consistently performed well since the 2015 release of Dying Light: The Following - Enhanced Edition, which currently holds an 87 Metacritic score. The series has spanned multiple platforms, including PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, macOS, and Linux. The transition in leadership comes at a time when the studio is looking to expand its scope, as evidenced by their ongoing hiring efforts for new projects.

• 2015: Release of Dying Light: The Following - Enhanced Edition (Metacritic: 87).
• 2022: Release of Dying Light 2: Stay Human.
• 2026: Departure of franchise director Tymon Smektała.
• Future: Active recruitment for a Lead Online Game Designer to develop new franchise content.

The studio has yet to confirm a third mainline entry, but the release of Dying Light: The Beast has provided a template for future adventures. As Techland continues to scale its operations, the focus remains on maintaining the high quality of gameplay that defined Smektała’s tenure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Dying Light director Tymon Smektała leaving Techland?

Tymon Smektała is leaving Techland to pursue new professional opportunities after years of leading the Dying Light franchise.

Who is replacing Tymon Smektała at Techland?

Techland has not yet announced a specific replacement for Tymon Smektała, though the studio continues to hire for key design roles within the franchise.

What is the future of the Dying Light series after Tymon Smektała's departure?

Techland maintains that the franchise is in capable hands and is actively recruiting for new projects, including a Lead Online Game Designer to shape future experiences.