There’s a lot going on over at Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) currently, with the company currently shaking up its promotional events by hosting State of Play broadcasts and not appearing at events like the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Today, even more is going on with the announcement that SIE Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden is departing.
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
A Tweet from the official PlayStation account stated: “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 endeavours and are deeply grateful for his years of service. Thanks for everything, Shawn!”
The official SIE website also noted that Laden: “Resigned as executive personnel (as of the end of September 2019).” He hasn’t given any details as to the reason for the departure and as yet, there’s been no mention of his replacement.
Layden has worked at Sony across various departments since 1987, becoming VP of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) in 1999 and then in 2007 President of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ). He was then COO, CEO, and President of PlayStation before his final role as SIE Worldwide Studios Chairman. It’s in this latter role he is most famous for, often taking to the stage for events like E3 to announce the latest PlayStation titles.
He’s leaving just as PlayStation 4’s lifecycle begins to draw to a close as PlayStation 5 is expected to be officially revealed in 2020 – but no new PlayStation VR just yet. When it comes to VR SIE isn’t following its rivals like Oculus and HTC with lots of new and improved headsets – or standalone ones – but it has previously hinted at what could feature in a new model, like better resolution and wireless connectivity.
It’s not just Shawn Layden leaving Sony. Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Asia (SIEJA) president and SIE corporate director Atsushi Morita is retiring, reports Gematsu. Kazuhiko Taekda will serve as the new corporate director while the role of SIEJA president is still to be announced.
VRFocus will continue its coverage of SIE as further announcements are made, reporting back with the latest updates.
via Mint VR