If you’ve been tuning into the PlayStation Podcast over the past 14 years, Shuhei Yoshida is certainly a name you’re familiar with. Widely recognized for his significant tenure as the President of PlayStation Studios during part of the PS3 and PS4 eras, Yoshida-san has recently been championing indie developers as the Head of Indies Initiative at PlayStation.
With PlayStation’s 30th anniversary just around the corner, I had the fantastic opportunity to connect with Yoshida-san. We dived into discussions about his illustrious career, his future plans, and his favorite picks from 30 years of PlayStation games. Here’s a sneak peek into our in-depth chat.
Note: The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. For those wanting the full conversation, it’s available here. (Apple, Spotify, direct DL)
SID: It’s been ages since you were last on the PlayStation Podcast, probably around 14 years ago. So, what have you been up to lately?
SHU: Oh, I’ve been quite the globetrotter! My travels have taken me to Brazil, India, Australia, and Sweden, visiting developers and attending gaming events. I’ve been delving into new games from developers and sharing favorites on social media.
SID: We’re thrilled to catch up with you. I hear you have some big news to share today?
SHU: Indeed, I do. I’m stepping down from Sony Interactive Entertainment on January 15, 2025. It feels similar to announcing a new game release date, something I haven’t done for quite a while [chuckles].
SID: After such a long stint at Sony Interactive, what prompted you to make this decision, and why now?
SHU: I’ve been a part of PlayStation since the very beginning, marking this as my 31st year. Hitting the 30-year milestone made me ponder about moving on. The company’s in a great spot right now. I adore the PS5 and the games it’s bringing to life. Plus, there’s a new generation of management which I truly respect. I’m genuinely excited for where PlayStation is headed.
So, with PlayStation thriving, it seems like the right moment for me to step back.
SID: Totally understandable. Let’s reminisce about your time here. Exactly how long have you been with PlayStation?
SHU: I joined Ken Kutanagi’s team back in February of 1993, when they were working on the original PlayStation. At that time, Ken only had engineers on his team. I was the first person from a non-technical background to join, as Sony Corporation, as it was known then, began planning the PlayStation launch. So yes, that’s 31 years ago.
SID: Ken Kutaragi often gets the title of ‘Father of PlayStation.’ What were those early days like before the original PlayStation launched?
SHU: When I joined, it was still just considered a department. Ken’s team was focused on development, while another under Sony Music Entertainment Japan was creating games for Super Nintendo. Eventually, these teams were merged, forming Sony Computer Entertainment in November 1993.
When the company was formalized, we celebrated with everyone gathered in a single room at a hotel [laughs]. I think there were about 80 of us then. We were quite small.
SID: That must have been exciting, despite the size!
SHU: Absolutely, it was thrilling! Ken’s team was pioneering with 3D graphics, real-time tech, and CD-ROMs that let us store loads of data cheaply. We had big dreams and high aspirations.
But the video game industry didn’t really take us seriously initially. Many big electronics firms had tried to break into gaming and hadn’t succeeded. So, before our launch, skepticism was common.
SID: It’s funny how things change. Here we are, 31 years later, with PlayStation as a major industry player. Can you tell me about your first role at PlayStation?
SHU: Initially, I was tasked with connecting with publishers and developers across Japan. As an account manager, I set up calls with companies from Hokkaido to Kyushu. I would then bring a team of executives, Ken Kutaragi included, to meet these publishers and discuss the potential of developing for PlayStation.
It was an exciting but challenging time because, back then, few in the industry believed in 3D graphics.
For more on Shuhei Yoshida’s early experiences with PlayStation, dive into our full chat on the PlayStation Podcast.
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SID: You eventually rose to be the president of PlayStation Studios. Any standout memories from your time there?
SHU: Being involved with game development meant working with incredible teams on games that often got nominated for Game of the Year at events like the DICE Summit. Winning or even being nominated for such a title is a privilege. I was fortunate enough to experience it almost annually.
Yet, one memory that stands out was when Journey received the Game of the Year Award. Distributed digitally via the PlayStation Network, it was a smaller game that you could finish in about three hours.
It was amazing witnessing this little game triumph against giant AAA titles, a first for the industry, I believe. I recall the creator, Jenova Chen, sharing a heartfelt story from a player who found solace in the game after her father’s passing. The whole room got up to applaud, and the atmosphere was filled with collective joy over the game’s profound impact.
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SID: What led you to your current role overseeing the Indies Initiative at Sony Interactive?
SHU: I’ve always loved indie games. Since the indie boom around 2000, when digital distribution took off on PCs, consoles, and mobile, anyone anywhere could create a game and sell it worldwide. It opened doors for the industry to explore fresh ideas.
Working with smaller games meant less financial risk, enabling creativity and innovation. It was like a treasure hunt for me. Even when managing PlayStation Studios, I was drawn to indie game areas at events like E3 or Gamescom. Often, I’d meet developers there, take pictures, and help boost their visibility.
I did this almost as a side hobby while at PlayStation Studios. So, when I had the chance to dedicate my time fully to supporting indies, it felt like a dream come true.
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![Image: Shu featured as a playable character in Super Time Force Ultra from Capybara Games.]
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The spirit of his journey with PlayStation reflects not just his achievements but also his passionate support for the independent gaming community.
