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Shuhei Yoshida, a prominent veteran in PlayStation history, has announced his departure from Sony Interactive Entertainment after 31 years in what could be a monumental shakeup in the Japanese tech giant's leadership.
“I've been with PlayStation since the beginning, and this is my 31st year at PlayStation. And when I hit 30, I thought, “Hmm, maybe it's time for me to leave.” You know, the company is doing very well,” Yoshida said in his exit interview (via Spotify).
Known for his tenure as president of PlayStation Studios between 2008 and 2019 and then as head of the Indies Initiative, Yoshida was instrumental in promoting independent developers and shaping the gaming industry.
Yoshida has become a fan favorite for his direct engagement on social media and his appearances in iconic PlayStation moments, such as the PS4 game sharing video. The BAFTA scholarship-winning industry veteran will leave the company on January 15, 2025.
“I love indie games. When the indie game boom began in 2000, all digital distribution began on PC, mobile, and console. Small digital games could be created by almost anyone in the world and could be sold and distributed around the world,” Yoshida recalls of his time at Sony.
The news came at a crucial time for Sony, as the company looks to deepen its brand in portable gaming amid strong competition from Microsoft and, potentially, Samsung.
Sony is reportedly developing a portable PS5 console that can run games natively, unlike the PS Portal which only works on streaming. The company hasn't launched a handheld gaming device since the ill-fated PS Vita and PSP, so the news could put Nintendo Switch and its future successor up against some serious competition.
Samsung, on the other hand, is also reportedly developing its own portable gaming device that can be folded.
Rafly Gilang
Technical journalist
Rafly is a journalist with years of journalistic experience, spanning technology, business, social and culture. He currently posts about Microsoft related products, technology and AI on MSPowerUser. Do you have a tip? Send it to [email protected]
