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PlayStation Indies Role: Yoshida's "No Choice" Career Shift
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From PlayStation Boss to Indie Champion: Shuhei Yoshida’s Unexpected Journey
Shuhei Yoshida, a name synonymous with PlayStation, embarked on a surprising career shift before leaving Sony after 38 years. In a recent interview, Yoshida revealed that his move to lead PlayStation’s indie initiative in 2019 wasn’t entirely his choice.
The Offer He Couldn’t Refuse
According to Yoshida, then-PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan presented him with two options: spearhead a new indie-focused division or depart from the company.
Yoshida said to VentureBeat: I had no choice. When Jim asked me to do the indie job, the choice was to do that or leave the company. But I felt very strongly about the state of PlayStation and indies. I really wanted to do this,
This pivotal moment marked a significant change for Yoshida, transitioning from overseeing first-party studios to championing independent developers.
A Mission to Empower Indies
Yoshida embraced his new role with a clear objective: to make his position obsolete. He aimed to foster such a strong relationship between PlayStation and indie developers that a dedicated advocate would no longer be necessary.
Key Highlights of Yoshida’s Indie Advocacy:
Beyond PlayStation
Since leaving Sony, Yoshida has shared insights into his long tenure, including his views on live-service games and the potential reasons behind the lack of a Bloodborne remaster. He remains a prominent figure in the gaming industry, dedicated to nurturing the creativity and innovation of