In a surprising move, PlayStation announced today that the company’s current Worldwide Studios head of SIE, Shawn Layden, will be leaving Sony.
The news comes about via a tweet that was shared via the official PlayStation account this evening. “It is with great emotion that we announce that Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden will be departing SIE,” reads the tweet. “His visionary leadership will be greatly missed. We wish him success in future endeavors and are deeply grateful for his years of service. Thanks for everything, Shawn!”
It is with great emotion that we announce that Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden will be departing SIE. His visionary leadership will be greatly missed. We wish him success in future endeavors and are deeply grateful for his years of service. Thanks for everything, Shawn!
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 30, 2019
Further news on why Layden is opting to depart from Sony or who will take over in his place as SIE head has yet to be given as of this writing. Layden joined Sony back in 1987 and eventually took over the role as Worldwide Studios Chairman after Jack Tretton left the company in 2014.
Layden’s leaving is especially interesting given Sony’s current situation in the video game industry. The console manufacturer has soared to new heights under Layden’s leadership in the PS4 era and has shipped countless critically acclaimed titles such as God of War, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and Horizon Zero Dawn to go along with shipping over 100 million PS4 units. Layden also leaves nearly a year before Sony will launch the PS4’s successor, the likely-to-be-called PS5.
Layden has joined former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime as the second face of one of the three major console manufacturers to depart from their role this year. Based on the wording from PlayStation, it seems as though Layden opted to leave Sony of his own accord, so perhaps he is leaving for another gig or has just decided to retire, similar to Fils-Aime. I guess if you’re planning on moving onto something new, it’s best to go out on top.
More news on this situation will likely come about soon, so stay tuned.
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Source: https://www.dualshockers.com/shawn-layden-departing-sony-playstation/
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