Shuhei Yoshida – One of the OG from they early days of Playstation development is retiring

In a heartfelt announcement, Shuhei Yoshida, a key figure in PlayStation’s history, has revealed that he will be leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment after 31 years. Yoshida, who joined the company in 1993 during the development of the original PlayStation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the gaming landscape.

I’m leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment on January 15 2025… it’s like announcing the launch date of a new game, [something] I haven’t done for a long time.

I’ve been with PlayStation from the beginning, and this is my 31st year with PlayStation. And when I hit 30 years, I was thinking, hmm, it may be about time for me to move on. You know, the company’s been doing great.

I love PS5, I love the games that are coming out on this platform. And we have new generations of management who I respect and admire. And I’m so excited for the future of PlayStation. So, you know, PlayStation is in really good hands. I thought, okay, this is my time.

Yoshida’s journey with PlayStation began as an account management lead, where he was responsible for securing third-party partnerships for the console. Over the years, he held various influential positions, including Vice President of SCE America and President of SCE Worldwide Studios. His tenure saw the release of numerous iconic games, such as Gran Turismo and Ape Escape.

Reflecting on his career, Yoshida shared some of his favorite moments, including the success of the digital-only game Journey, which won the Game of the Year award in 2012.

He also expressed his love for working with indie developers, describing it as “treasure hunting” for unique and innovative games.

GG and farewell good sir!

You can read more at Playstation Official blog post here.