Highly Regarded PlayStation Executive Departs from Sony

Shuhei Yoshida, a notable figure who has often been seen as the very face of PlayStation, has shared some big news. He plans to step down from his role at Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) in January 2025. This marks the end of an era, as Yoshida has been with the company since before the first PlayStation even hit the markets in late 1994.

In a recent episode of the PlayStation Podcast, Yoshida took a trip down memory lane, reflecting on his impressive 31-year journey with Sony’s gaming division. From the very early days in 1993, Yoshida was one of the original players alongside industry legend Ken Kutaragi, the man many credit with bringing the PlayStation to life. It was during this nostalgic conversation that Yoshida dropped the bombshell—his decision to move on from the team he has long been a part of.

During this podcast episode, Yoshida confirmed he would officially leave SIE on January 15, 2025. Over recent years, he has toyed with the idea of leaving, and he concluded that now is the right time. In a chat with Sid Shuman, the SIE Senior Director for Content Communications, Yoshida expressed complete confidence in the current team, highlighting how well the PlayStation is doing, and how thrilled he is with the latest games and the company’s newest console.

Yoshida’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter in PlayStation’s history, but before he leaves, he’s been quite taken with a couple of exciting PlayStation 5 games. One such game is Slitterhead, an intriguing horror action title developed by Bokeh Game Studio. This game offers a twist—players can jump into the shoes of just about any non-playable character. Created under the guidance of Keiichiro Toyama, known for hits like Gravity Rush and Silent Hill, Slitterhead impressed Yoshida with its unique characters and immersive setting. He likened its gameplay to the challenging style often seen in Soulslike games, and he particularly enjoyed the experience of toppling bosses, even suggesting it’s possible to deliver the final blow as a character like an elderly lady.

Another title that has captured Yoshida’s interest is Nine Sols, crafted by Taiwanese indie outfit Red Candle Games. This 2D platformer and metroidvania is evocative of FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and is packed with a combat system featuring parries and counters. Described by Yoshida as an intriguing blend of sci-fi and Chinese folklore, the game also parallels the critically acclaimed Sifu in execution style. Landing a perfect parry in Nine Sols, he noted, delivers a deeply rewarding feeling.

Before departing SIE, Yoshida plans to make appearances at several events, including The Game Awards 2024 and Taiwan’s Taipei Game Show in January. Beyond that, it seems he’ll be focusing on enjoying some well-deserved downtime, though he has hinted at remaining a supportive figure in the indie game community. While Yoshida’s future plans remain open-ended, his impact on the industry continues to reverberate.