HiTechEdge

Tag: PlayStation

  • Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Is Retiring

    Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Is Retiring

    Jim Ryan, the President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), has announced he is retiring after nearly 30 years with the company.

    Ryan leads the division of Sony responsible for the PlayStation, and led the company during the difficult PlayStation 5 launch in the midst of the pandemic. Under his leadership, the PlayStation 5 is on its way to becoming Sony’s most popular console in the company’s history.

    Nonetheless, Ryan says he has found it increasingly difficult to balance his work and life on two different continents:

    As you will have seen today in the news , I have announced my retirement after nearly 30 years at Sony Interactive Entertainment. I did not take this decision lightly and I absolutely love SIE and our community, but of late I’ve been finding it increasingly difficult to strike the right balance between having my home in the UK and my job in the United States. As mentioned in the press release, I will continue my role as President and CEO until March 2024. Effective April 1, 2024, Hiroki Totoki will be appointed Interim CEO of SIE while he continues his current role at Sony Group Corporation.

  • Microsoft Commits to Keeping Call of Duty on PlayStation — For Now

    Microsoft Commits to Keeping Call of Duty on PlayStation — For Now

    Following Microsoft’s blockbuster purchase of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is working to reassure PlayStation users.

    Microsoft announced a deal on Tuesday to purchase Activision Blizzard for some $68.7 billion, a move that will upend the entire computing gaming industry. Needless to day, many wondered if Microsoft would kill off non-Xbox and PC versions of popular titles, such as Call of Duty.

    According to Spencer, the company has no plans to do that…at least not yet.

    Had good calls this week with leaders at Sony. I confirmed our intent to honor all existing agreements upon acquisition of Activision Blizzard and our desire to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Sony is an important part of our industry, and we value our relationship.

    — Phil Spencer (XboxP3), January 20, 2022

    As some commenters immediately pointed out, Spencer’s choice of words certainly leaves doubt about the long-term future. Rather than a strong ‘we WILL keep Call of Duty on PlayStation,’ Spencer seemingly left Microsoft an out by only saying the company would honor existing agreements, and it was their desire to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation.

    Only time will tell how committed Microsoft is to other gaming platforms over the long haul.