Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
PlayStation’s new head of Worldwide Studios is Guerrilla Games co-founder and managing director, Hermen Hulst (via GamesIndustry.biz).
If you’re wondering where former Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida is going, well, he’s not going anywhere. Yoshida will no longer manage Sony Interactive Entertainment’s internal studios and will instead focus his energy on its external and independent studios. ‘Everybody knows just how passionate Shu is about independent games – they are the lifeblood of the industry, making our content portfolio so special for our gamers,’ PlayStation CEO and president Jim Ryan said.
‘These wildly creative experiences deserve focus, and a champion like Shu at PlayStation who will ensure the entire SIE organization works together to better engage with independent developers through a culture of supporting and celebrating their contributions to PlayStation platforms,’ he added. This shuffle is especially good news for indie studios who wish to spark or continue to collaborate with Sony Interactive Entertainment into the next generation.
Regarding Hulst’s role, Ryan expressed that he is ‘thrilled and happy and proud’ that the Guerrilla Games alumnus chose to join PlayStation. ‘He is a passionate advocate for the teams he leads and understands how to empower creative talent to build great experiences. I have no doubt Hermen can lead our teams to deliver compelling and diverse experiences at a steady cadence,’ Ryan said.
Guerrilla Games is the developer behind the Killzone series and Horizon Zero Dawn (that might become a series, too). As such, Guerrilla Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment have enjoyed a close relationship for almost two decades, and the upcoming Death Stranding uses the Decima engine that the company created. Angie Smets, Jan-Bart van Beek and Michiel van der Leeuw will fill Hulst's boots and become joint studio heads at Guerrilla Games.
One month ago, Shawn Layden departed Sony Interactive Entertainment and stepped down from his role as Worldwide Studios Chairman. His replacement has not been publicly announced.
