Shuhei Yoshida, a pivotal figure in the world of PlayStation, who has long been a defining face of the brand, has announced he’ll be stepping away from Sony Interactive Entertainment early in 2025. Yoshida, now 60, has been part of Sony’s gaming journey since before the original PlayStation’s debut back in 1994.
Reflecting on his 31-year tenure, Yoshida revisited his journey during the latest episode of PlayStation’s official podcast. As one of the original team members who joined back in 1993, he shared insights into his experiences working alongside Ken Kutaragi, the former CEO affectionately known within the industry as the “father of PlayStation.” His big reveal — parting ways with Sony’s gaming division after an illustrious career spanning decades — marked a momentous point in the conversation.
In a recent podcast appearance, Yoshida confirmed he will be departing SIE on January 15, 2025. He feels the timing is right, as he recently expressed to Sid Shuman, Senior Director of Content Communications at SIE. According to Yoshida, PlayStation is flourishing and continues to be a leading force in gaming. He can’t help but admire the array of games emerging for the PlayStation 5 and the console’s remarkable impact.
During the chat, Yoshida took the opportunity to sing the praises of two PlayStation 5 titles that have captivated him. First up, Slitterhead, an intriguing action horror game developed by Bokeh Game Studio, allows players to control nearly any character in its world. With Keiichiro Toyama, known for seminal works like Gravity Rush and Silent Hill, at the helm, Yoshida drew parallels between Slitterhead and the Soulslike genre, highlighting the thrilling boss battles where players can deliver decisive blows even as unexpected characters like an elderly woman.
The second game catching Yoshida’s attention is Nine Sols, a 2D platformer with metroidvania elements created by the Taiwanese indie studio Red Candle Games. He likens it to a 2D rendition of FromSoftware’s iconic Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, complete with a dynamic combat system rich in parries and counters. With its intriguing fusion of sci-fi and Chinese folklore, Yoshida remarked on Nine Sols’ similarity to the hit Sifu, emphasizing the rewarding feeling of executing the game’s combat mechanics gracefully.
Before exiting SIE, Yoshida plans to make appearances at a handful of notable events, including The Game Awards 2024 in December and the Taipei Game Show in January 2025. Beyond these events, he seems to have no concrete plans laid out, opting instead to relish some well-earned downtime. Nonetheless, Yoshida indicated he may continue offering support to indie game developers down the line.
