Michaela Bartelt Has Left EA Germany, Olaf Coenen Remains MD
– 1 min read
Michaela Bartelt, who headed the German office in addition to her role as Senior Director of Worldwide Localization, has left Electronic Arts after nearly three decades. A successor has not yet been named.
Michaela Bartelt was appointed co-managing director of Electronic Arts Germany, EA's German subsidiary, in February 2020. Since September 2021 (in German), she has been responsible for the business without Jens Kosche, who took on international responsibilities but has since also left EA to start a new chapter with Piet Smiet.
Bartelt writes about her departure on LinkedIn: "Earlier this year, after an incredible 27-year journey at Electronic Arts, I made the decision to step into the next chapter of my professional life. Following the most thoughtful and touching farewells from EA, I’m now taking some time to focus on family and friends, travel (a big trip to Japan is on the horizon – and Vancouver, too!), and volunteer work with the Red Cross in my community. I’m also staying connected to the games, media, and localization industries that have shaped so much of my career. As I explore what comes next, I have a few ideas brewing - but nothing concrete to share just yet."
There is no specific successor for Bartelt. However, several managers are formally registered as managing directors at the German branch. Following Bartelt's departure, which was recorded in July, Sophie Carabalona and Dr. Olaf Coenen remain listed as managing directors. Coenen is VP Global Partners at EA and was already managing director of EA Germany (in German) from 2008 to 2014.
It is also unclear who will take over Bartelt's international activities: Michaela was responsible for localization worldwide for many years and was also valued and known beyond the borders of EA for her expertise in this often underestimated field.
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Written by
Stephan Steininger is Director of Operations and Editor-in-Chief of GamesMarket. As part of the magazine since its inception in 2001, he knows the GSA games industry by heart.
