Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino, co-CEOs of Sony since June, recently shared their vision for the future of PlayStation and video games in general. While the industry is going through a period of technological transformation marked by the rise of artificial intelligence, they emphasize the importance of the human role in video game creation.
AI: An opportunity, but not a replacement
Artificial intelligence is a key tool in many sectors today, and video games are no exception. Hermen Hulst recognizes the revolutionary potential of AI to automate repetitive tasks in game development. However, he affirms that the human aspect remains irreplaceable:
Hermen Hulst (left) and Hideaki Nishino (right) Co-CEOs of Sony
There will be a dual demand in gaming: one for innovative AI-driven experiences, and another for thoughtful, handcrafted content.
Explique Hermen Hulst.
This statement comes in a context where professionals in the sector are expressing concerns about the impact of AI, particularly in terms of creativity and jobs. The voice actor strikes in the United States, for example, illustrate this tension in the face of technology perceived as threatening.
For PlayStation, the goal is to find a balance between AI and “human touch” to preserve the authenticity and depth of gaming experiences.
Successes and setbacks under the leadership of the two CEOs
Since their arrival in June, Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino have had to overcome several challenges. The resounding failure of Concord, an anticipated but poorly received shooter, led to its premature closure and player refunds. Hulst admitted that some aspects of the game were successful, but that the whole was not convincing.
Conversely, the launch of Astro Bot in September was a great success. The critically acclaimed game became one of the highest rated of the year according to Metacritic and received several nominations for Game of the Year.
We are incredibly pleased with the reception to Astro Bot.
S'enthusiasm Hermen Hulst.
These contrasts reflect the ups and downs of a year marked by important strategic decisions.
The two-headed governance model at PlayStation is intriguing. Hermen Hulst is mainly responsible for the software, while Hideaki Nishino focuses on the hardware. This sharing of roles, according to Nishino, allows them to better focus on their respective areas while collaborating to deliver optimal experiences to the PlayStation community.
A prominent example of this approach is PlayStation Portal, a hybrid device combining controller and screen. Initially designed to stream games from a PS5, this device will soon be able to use Cloud gaming thanks to a recently launched beta program.
We're constantly exploring new ways for players to enjoy games.
Declares Nishino, emphasizing the importance of adapting the offer to the new habits of players.
The future of PlayStation franchises beyond gaming Hermen Hulst also sees immense potential for PlayStation licenses in the world of entertainment. After the success of the series adaptation of The Last of Us and the film Uncharted, Sony is continuing this strategy with the series adaptation of God of War for Amazon Prime.
I want to elevate the PlayStation brand beyond video games and make it a benchmark in the entertainment industry.
This desire reflects a broader trend in the industry, where video game franchises are finding a second wind on the big screen or in television series.
As Sony celebrates 30 years of PlayStation, the two CEOs share personal memories about their discovery of video games. Hideaki Nishino remembers the difficulties in convincing his parents to buy him a console, while Hermen Hulst, son of a shopkeeper, remembers exploring the new products in the family store.
These anecdotes show how their passion for games shapes their vision for PlayStation today.
