November 27th 2024.
Shuhei Yoshida has been a prominent and influential figure in the history of PlayStation. As the former president of PlayStation Studios, he has been an integral part of Sony Interactive Entertainment for 30 years, ever since the company's first console. Throughout the years, while many executives have come and gone, Yoshida has remained a constant behind the scenes.
Yoshida's journey with Sony began in 1993, under the leadership of Ken Kutaragi, during the development of the original PlayStation. He eventually rose to the position of president of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios in 2008, where he stayed until 2019. He then took on the role of head of the company's indie developer initiative. As the face of PlayStation, Yoshida was highly regarded in his previous role and played a pivotal role in shaping the brand.
However, on November 26th, Yoshida announced that he will be leaving Sony after 31 years, with his last day being January 15th, 2025. In an interview, he shared his thoughts on his departure, saying, "I've been with PlayStation from the beginning, and this is my 31st year with the company. And when I hit 30 years, I was thinking, hmm, it may be about time for me to move on." He expressed his love for the company and its future under the new generation of management, and his excitement for the upcoming PlayStation 5 and its games.
Yoshida's exit comes after the departure of another PlayStation veteran, Jim Ryan, who stepped down as Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO last year. The company is now led by joint CEOs Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino. When asked about his fondest memory during his time at PlayStation Studios, Yoshida highlighted the success of the game Journey in 2012. He recalled the moment when the game won the Game of the Year award and how it touched the hearts of many players.
Aside from his contributions to PlayStation, Yoshida also played a significant role in the success of the PlayStation 2, which remains the best-selling console of all time. There has been some confusion around the exact sales figures, which were previously reported to be 155 million. However, former PlayStation boss Jim Ryan claimed that over 160 million units have been sold, and a recent update on the PlayStation website listed the figure as "over 160 million."
This announcement sparked some speculation and theories about Sony's motives, with some believing it was a strategic move to maintain their lead over Nintendo, whose Switch console is quickly catching up in sales. The second best-selling console is the Nintendo DS at 154.02 million units, followed by the Switch at 146.04 million as of September 2024. However, with the possibility of the Switch surpassing 155 million in sales, Sony's claim of "over 160 million" can never be taken away.
As we bid farewell to Yoshida and celebrate the 30th anniversary of PlayStation, it's clear that his contributions and impact on the brand will not be forgotten. We can only hope that the future of PlayStation will continue to thrive and bring us more memorable gaming experiences. To stay updated on all things PlayStation, be sure to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter. We also welcome your thoughts and stories, so feel free to leave a comment or submit your own features.
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