Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida recently shared some insights that may ease concerns for gamers. According to him, none of PlayStation’s first-party studios have been compelled to develop live-service games. Instead, these studios seem to have willingly chosen to join this “big initiative,” believing that it could increase their chances of getting their projects approved and fully supported.
In an interesting twist during his interview with Sacred Symbols+ (shoutout to Push Square for the heads-up), Yoshida discussed these points. It’s the kind of statement you might expect from someone who has been at the helm of such a large enterprise.
Yoshida noted that from his viewpoint, when studios notice the company focusing on a major initiative, they realize that aligning with that push might boost their project’s approval odds. He clarified, “It’s not like Hermen Hulst [the current PlayStation Studios boss] is forcing teams to make live-service games. It’s more likely a mutual decision.”
While Yoshida technically has a point, there does seem to be a bit of corporate lingo here. If studios perceive that following the company’s latest interest improves their chances of avoiding the dreaded limbo—where projects constantly face rejection—it might raise eyebrows about corporate health. This is something executives should ideally address and manage.
Call me an idealist, but shouldn’t companies like PlayStation strive to create an environment where their premier studios feel trusted enough to pitch the games they truly believe in? These pitches should leverage their unique strengths and align with market needs, rather than everyone hopping on the same bandwagon. Particularly in the realm of live-service games, which was already a tough market to crack even before PlayStation made its ambitious entry.
I have to admit, I haven’t spent decades leading a giant in the gaming industry. And to give Yoshida his due, he doesn’t necessarily promote this as a positive trend, just stating it as a reality.
On the recent cancellations of PlayStation’s live-service projects, Yoshida frankly admitted, “Yeah, it sucks.”
