Beloved PlayStation Executive Is Leaving Sony

Key PlayStation figure Shuhei Yoshida, once labeled as the face of the brand, has announced his upcoming departure from Sony Interactive Entertainment, the branch of the company that handles video games. Yoshida, 60, joined SIE before the very first PlayStation was even released in late 1994.

In the latest episode of PlayStation’s official podcast, SIE Head of Indies Shuhei Yoshida looked back on his 31 years with Sony’s popular gaming brand. The industry veteran, one of the original members of the PlayStation team that was formed in 1993, shared his experiences working with former SIE CEO Ken Kutaragi, widely recognized as the father of the Playstation. Yoshida also dropped a major career announcement: his plan to move on from Sony’s gaming division within the coming months.

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On episode 502 of the Official PlayStation Podcast, Yoshida revealed that he will leave SIE on January 15, 2025. The executive, who has been mulling over his departure from Sony in recent years, believes that it is now time for him to make the move. Talking to SIE Senior Director for Content Communications Sid Shuman, Yoshida said that PlayStation is doing well and is already in good hands. Additionally, he admits to loving the games that are coming out on the PS5, as well as Sony’s latest console itself.

Beloved PlayStation Figure Shuhei Yoshida Announces Departure from Sony

During his interview with Shuman, Yoshida highlighted two PlayStation 5 releases that have recently taken up his time. Among them was Slitterhead, the unique action horror experience from Japanese developer Bokeh Game Studio that lets players take control of essentially any NPC in the title. Keiichiro Toyama, the mind behind the Gravity Rush, Silent Hill, and Siren franchises, is the creative director of Bokeh Game Studio. Yoshida praised the setting and unique characters of Slitterhead while comparing its gameplay to that of a Soulslike. According to the PlayStation icon, fighting against bosses in Slitterhead is fun because players can oftentimes land a finishing blow on them even as an old lady.

The other title mentioned was 2D platformer and metroidvania Nine Sols by Taiwanese indie studio Red Candle Games. Yoshida described Nine Sols as a 2D version of FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that also features a combat system with parries and counters. The game, which the SIE indie initiatives head said has an interesting blend of sci-fi elements and Chinese folklore, was compared to the critically acclaimed beat ’em up Sifu as well. According to Yoshida, properly executing parries and counters in Nine Sols can leave the player feeling amazing.

Yoshida said that he will be attending several events before leaving SIE, including The Game Awards 2024 in December and the Taipei Game Show in January 2025. Aside from going to these affairs, the PlayStation veteran admitted that he has no other plans at the moment and will likely just enjoy his free time. Yoshida, however, noted that he will still try to lend a helping hand to indie teams in the future.

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