Paweł Marchewka, the founder and CEO of Techland, the Polish video game developer behind the popular Dying Light and Dead Island franchises, recently celebrated his 51st birthday with a lavish three-day event on the French Riviera, drawing attention to the previously private businessman. The celebration, held at a villa formerly owned by fashion designer Pierre Cardin, was attended by prominent figures from Polish entertainment and business, including Robert Lewandowski and his wife Anna, and Małgorzata Rozenek-Majdan, according to reports.
Marchewka, who Forbes Poland recently ranked as the eighth wealthiest person in Poland with an estimated net worth of 8.52 billion złoty (approximately $2.1 billion USD as of March 1, 2026), founded Techland in 1991. The company initially focused on translating computer games into Polish before evolving into a major game developer, and publisher. Techland’s success has been driven by titles like Call of Juarez (2006), Dead Island (2011), and Dying Light (2015).
In February 2026, Marchewka announced the sale of two-thirds of Techland to the Chinese technology conglomerate Tencent for a reported 8 billion złoty. Speaking to Forbes Poland, Marchewka explained the decision was driven by a desire to share the responsibility of leading the company, stating that being solely accountable for the “numbers” for 30 years had become “exhausting.” He also dismissed concerns about selling to a Chinese company, noting that numerous firms from around the world were considered.
Marchewka and his wife, Aleksandra, emphasized their pragmatic approach to wealth. Aleksandra Marchewka told Forbes Poland that the sale to Tencent hadn’t fundamentally altered their financial situation, stating, “We had money before, now we have more, but on a daily basis it doesn’t matter.” Paweł Marchewka further elaborated on their spending habits, using the example of choosing between a 4 złoty and a 40 złoty can of cola to illustrate their preference for sensible choices. “We try to stay grounded and not lose perspective,” he said. He added that even billionaires recognize the relative insignificance of small luxuries.
Despite his newfound visibility, Marchewka has historically maintained a low profile, rarely appearing in the media. The opulent birthday celebration marks a departure from this pattern. Marchewka was born on April 18, 1973, in Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland, and holds a degree in economics from the University of Wrocław, as well as an MBA from the Wrocław School of Banking.