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[yurinka]

CONSEQUENCES!!!!

And look $5 BILLION. great minds think alike.

Hermen continues as CEO of SIE Studio Business Group, so he continues in charge of their 1st party games and movie/tv adaptations. Nishino continues as CEO of SIE Platform Business Group. So they'll basically doing the same.

The difference is that before Hulst and Nishino were also co-CEO of SIE and Totoki was SIE chairman, while now there will be only Nishino as single SIE CEO. Totoki no longer is SIE chairman and Hulst no longer is SIE co-CEO.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...sony-interactive-entertainment-302362728.html

And well, they didn't lose $5B, lol.

Sounds more like streamlining of corporate structure rather than a demotion for Hulst.
Having two Co-CEOs was a weird decision to begin with, imo.

Yes, because Hulst no longer being SIE co-CEO isn't the only change: Totoki and Tao left their positions at SIE moved to Sony Group. So seems they simplified/streamlined the structure.

Need to make the return to 100% Japanese silicon and give PS6 a Sony CPU/GPU.

That would be an awful idea. They have to improve hardware profitability, so need to reduce costs. To make their own chips would increase them instead. It would also make the games more expensive and would make multiplatform development more complex.

 

[bitbydeath]

He already said he will be pursuing a more aggressive multi-platform strategy back then. He will be on releasing Playstation 1st party AAA games on non-Playstation console platforms here.

Xbox was still making exclusive games a year ago, things change.

 

[Fabieter]

I don’t disagree. But you need to look at it in context of timing and how things go in corporate culture, even more so Japanese corporate culture. Such announcements never happen unless they are preparing investors for the real change. Given the string of failures, it’s only natural that they want Hulst to go. This is phase 1. We can’t predict when it is going to happen, but I think it will eventually happen. They will boil this frog

Iam really happy we got a somewhat confirmation that hulst was a bad executive. He had quite a good defence force the last few years.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Iam really happy we got a somewhat confirmation that hulst was a bad executive. He had quite a good defence force the last few years.

If he was bad, he would have been fired

 

[Killjoy-NL]

Not in terms of HW(CPU/GPU): PS1 and PS2 are Sony/Sony, PS3 is Sony/Nvidia while PS4 and PS5 are AMD/AMD.
PlayStation has literally never been less PlayStation.

PS made good and shit games during PS1.

PS made good and shit games during PS2.

PS made good and shit games during PS3.

PS made good and shit games during PS4.

PS makes good and shit games now with PS5.

They've always been heavily reliant on 3rd party each gen.

Playstation is still just Playstation. Pretty much nobody cares who the manufactorer of their hardware is.

Edit:

"good and shit games" was a but hyperbolic. Read as: interesting and mediocre/uninteresting games

 

[Felessan]

Probably? Doesn't mean they are entirely happy with the execution though.

Their 3rd party strategy is perfectly fine and earns shitton of money for Sony. Their 1st party strategy is lacking in control and discipline, this is probably why Hulst lost corporate battle for position.

Sounds more like streamlining of corporate structure rather than a demotion for Hulst.
Having two Co-CEOs was a weird decision to begin with, imo.

The main change is Totoki becoming CEO of Sony. SIE changes are results of this
Totoki was the highest authority in SIE, overseeing Nishino and Hulst. And now they have to choose someone who are fully in charge without need of supervisor who we'll settle arguments.

 

[DenchDeckard]

Hulst on his last legs.

 

[ArtHands]

Xbox was still making exclusive games a year ago, things change.

Indeed, Sony might become even more aggressive in other platforms like Microsoft, Nintendo, Nvidia Now streaming

 

[ProtoByte]

He already said he will be pursuing a more aggressive multi-platform strategy back then. He will be on releasing Playstation 1st party AAA games on non-Playstation console platforms here.

I don't remember that. In fact, I remember him saying that people buy platforms for games and not the console in and of itself.

 

[kazuyamishima]

I hope ArtHands and the other PC Bros continue to support PS ports like The Last of Us Part II so Sony can promote Neil Druckman to SIE CEO in the future.

Let’s do it PC Bros!!

 

[awwr999999]

That would be an awful idea. They have to improve hardware profitability, so need to reduce costs. To make their own chips would increase them instead. It would also make the games more expensive and would make multiplatform development more complex.

Have you been paying attention to Japanese news?
Japan's doubling down on semiconductors and Sony's already involved.
In reality there's never been a better time for PlayStation to invest in HW R&D.

 

[Xtib81]

I think it's time for Hermen to step down.

 

[awwr999999]

Playstation is still just Playstation. Pretty much nobody cares who the manufactorer of their hardware is.

AMD cares. The fact that anyone can look at PS specs and buy an off-the-shelf AMD/AMD setup that's specced better than a PS5 benefits AMD tremendously.

 

[Fabieter]

If he was bad, he would have been fired

Hes definitely on the fence bro. He wasted alot of money.

 

[jm89]

I hope ArtHands and the other Xbox refugees continue to support PS ports like The Last of Us Part II so Sony can promote Neil Druckman to SIE CEO in the future.

Let’s do it Xbox refugees!!

FTFY

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Can’t they just do this to Herman…

It's Taboo To Fire People In Japan — So They're Sent To Boredom Rooms Instead

Job terminations are so taboo in Japan that some employees are consigned to side rooms instead of leaving the company.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[Astray]

When you look back on this gen. The one constant Sony had going for it no matter what was how well PS5 had sold, especially how they managed the chip shortage.

Nishino is probably the man to thank for their success, even a lot of the smaller bets like the Portal or the Edge were a big success (VR2 is the big exception).

You look at the future horizon and it's gonna be interesting, you got the PS6 development, the new portable device and challenges in certain regions like Japan. I don't think Hulst was equipped to handle that, even if the big GAAS initiative was more successful than it was.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

AMD cares. The fact that anyone can look at PS specs and buy an off-the-shelf AMD/AMD setup that's specced better than a PS5 benefits AMD tremendously.

We're all talking about games and the PS brand and you suddenly come up who produces the chips for their hardware?

 

[mansoor1980]

hermen wont go down easily

 

[awwr999999]

We're all talking about games and the PS brand and you suddenly come up who produces the chips for their hardware?

You can't separate PlayStation from the HW that it's built on or PlayStation games from the HW they run on.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

You can't separate PlayStation from the HW that it's built on or PlayStation games from the HW they run on.

Well yeah, but it's such a weird take
You're literally the first person I've ever seen make such a statement.

 

[zokie]

speculation/prediction : Mr Hermen Hulst might join xbox if he decides to leave

 

[Elios83]

Not surprised by Totoki becoming Sony's next CEO.
He has been prepared for the role for the last few years and delivered the profits that investors wanted to see.
Also the new group CFO is Lin Tao, who was SIE's CFO.

About PlayStation the easy take is certainly that they wanted someone to have full control, that the two CEOs structure was more a transitional trial period and that they've been more happy with Nishino than with Hulst but practically it doesn't change much, Hulst will continue to do pretty much what he was doing before leading the studios.
And as much as some online people have chosen Hulst as the target of their hate, the reality is that he has only been an executor of what Totoki and Ryan wanted.
And Totoki not only is still there but it's now group CEO.

 

[ComboBongo]

Well yeah, but it's such a weird take
You're literally the first person I've ever seen make such a statement.

Clearly both are just as important being a platform holder.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

Clearly both are just as important being a platform holder.

Did you ever hear someone say they wouldn't buy a Playstation because they use AMD hardware?


Edit:

Moved to next reply.

 

[GymWolf]

Hopefully this fat kiryu looking dude is gonna steer the company in the right direction.

 

[ComboBongo]

Did you ever hear someone say they wouldn't buy a Playstation because they use AMD hardware?

They would be less likely to buy the product if there were fewer, worse performing titles and a lack of backwards compatibility. So yes, the platform design and components are critical. It’s their primary vehicle for selling games.

You could say the same about people caring about or knowing which studio develops a title. Sure the masses won’t know or care but those that are more involved do care.

As a platform holder, the hardware and software are both critical for success.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

They would be less likely to buy the product if there were fewer, worse performing titles and a lack of backwards compatibility. So yes, the platform design and components are critical. It’s their primary vehicle for selling games.

You could say the same about people caring about or knowing which studio develops a title. Sure the masses won’t know or care but those that are more involved do care.

As a platform holder, the hardware and software are both critical for success.

Sure, nobody's denying that.

But that wasn't the point of discussion. "Playstation is still Playstation" was in reference to the brand and game output.

Besides, PS1 and PS2 were successes, yet PS3 with Nvidia was Sony's biggest fuckup.

Having switched to AMD however, iirc Sony as a whole bounced back from a bad financial situation in large part due to PS4s success.
Meanwhile, PS5 is their most successful gen ever, generating almost as much revenue as Nintendo + Xbox (incl ABK) combined.

So his take is just weird regardless.

 

[Hookshot]

Reenactment of what happened to Herman this week.

 

[Luipadre]

Hulst will continue to serve as CEO of the Studio Business Group and will report to Nishino.

 

[onQ123]

Trouble in paradise. Herman gone by year end after overseeing Horizon bundle to Switch 2. Japan to go all in on Astrobot instead, Party, Kart, Paint, all before the gen ends.

Has nothing to do with Herman , Yoshida stepped down

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/business/sony-ceo-kenichiro-yoshida.html

 

[Fabieter]

And as much as some online people have chosen Hulst as the target of their hate, the reality is that he has only been an executor of what Totoki and Ryan wanted.

So jimbo forced hulst to greenlit the crap he did. I dont think that's what happened. Gaas is not the problem, the problem is that the doesn't have an eye for quality games. I want yoshida back in his place.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

So jimbo forced hulst to greenlit the crap he did. I dont think that's what happened. Gaas is not the problem, the problem is that the doesn't have an eye for quality games. I want yoshida back in his place.

Tbf Shawn Layden implemented the current strategy and Playstation management seemed to be in favor of it as well.

So, nobody got forced.

 

[Fabieter]

Meanwhile, PS5 is their most successful gen ever, generating almost as much revenue as Nintendo + Xbox (incl ABK) combined.

They were riding on past momentum the first half of the generation. Let's see what they have in store for the second part that's when the influence of the current mangement will be seen.

 

[Astray]

Not surprised by Totoki becoming Sony's next CEO.
He has been prepared for the role for the last few years and delivered the profits that investors wanted to see.
Also the new group CFO is Lin Tao, who was SIE's CFO.

About PlayStation the easy take is certainly that they wanted someone to have full control, that the two CEOs structure was more a transitional trial period and that they've been more happy with Nishino than with Hulst but practically it doesn't change much, Hulst will continue to do pretty much what he was doing before leading the studios.
And as much as some online people have chosen Hulst as the target of their hate, the reality is that he has only been an executor of what Totoki and Ryan wanted.
And Totoki not only is still there but it's now group CEO.

The GAAS initiative will continue in one form or another, even with Nishino at the helm, the Japanese market is dominated by gachas and F2P games, even if he leans towards local Japanese preferences, he's still gonna continue with GAAS. The problem from a higher-up Sony exec's POV is not the initiative itself, it's in the execution.

But what this signifies to me is that the European branch of SIE might be losing influence over the overall corp.

Also this move basically tells Hulst that he has reached his ceiling at Sony, it's now very unlikely that he gets a sole CEO role at the company again unless something drastic happens that requires Nishino to leave ASAP. I think Hulst leaves SIE in a year or two, tops.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

They were riding on past momentum the first half of the generation. Let's see what they have in store for the second part that's when the influence of the current mangement will be seen.

Sure, but it's the part where the second wave of big titles from Sony 1st party will release.

In that regard, this gen looks to be following PS3.

Also, they launched during the pandemic.
People always leave out this fact.

 

[bitbydeath]

Indeed, Sony might become even more aggressive in other platforms like Microsoft, Nintendo, Nvidia Now streaming

 

[Ronin_7]

Fuck off Hermen.

 

[Fabieter]

Tbf Shawn Layden implemented the current strategy and Playstation management seemed to be in favor of it as well.

So, nobody got forced.

So layden made hulst greenlit thr garbage like concord okay!

 

[Killjoy-NL]

So layden made hulst greenlit thr garbage like concord okay!

I thought it was about their current strategy in general.

Didn't realize it was Concord specifically. Game really did a few numbers on some people, huh?

 

[Fabieter]

Sure, but it's the part where the second wave of big titles from Sony 1st party will release.

In that regard, this gen looks to be following PS3.

Also, they launched during the pandemic.
People always leave out this fact.

The pandemic helped made them alot more money overall. All tech and media companies were through the roof. I dont get why people always make it as a negative for Sony. They would love that pandemic to go even longer.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

The pandemic helped made them alot more money overall. All tech and media companies were through the roof. I dont get why people always make it as a negative for Sony. They would love that pandemic to go even longer.

Sony also had severe supply constraints for the first 2-2.5 years.

People also tend to leave out that fact.

 

[Fabieter]

I thought it was about their current strategy in general.

Didn't realize it was Concord specifically. Game really did a few numbers on some people, huh?

Not just concord, but alot of the stuff they cancelled was greenlit by hulst. Concord is just the best example of hulst not knowing what he's doing.

 

[yogaflame]

Tbf Shawn Layden implemented the current strategy and Playstation management seemed to be in favor of it as well.

So, nobody got forced.

Former Sony Shawn Layden is narcisistic, feeling genius and feeling that he knows everything about gaming. I dont trust him especially his analysis. He feels that he is the voice of PS brand while in fact he is not. Plus he is the proponent and supporter of woke infested DEI that is already lurking inside Sony PS.

 

[Fabieter]

Sony also had severe supply constraints for the first 2-2.5 years.

People also tend to leave out that fact.

It helped them sell as much as it did.

 

[GHG]

Just fire Hulst and be done with it ffs.

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

Catastrophic? A bit much don’t you think? They are making more money than ever.

Problem is, I don’t think that is the right mindset. They are making more money per unit than ever. Yes, very true! Making good money off of Online subs? Yes!

Sales and lifetime units sales will likely not eclipse ps4. IMO, the narrative that Sony doesn’t have games, will be hard to shake. Especially going forward.

It will take a full console generation to get all these studios back on track.

I think it is likely (and smart) that Sony realizes and releases titles on pc day and date with ps5. I’m also 100% positive you see Sony release some titles also on Xbox and NS2. I’m not saying TLoU, or GoW. But smaller titles or legacy titles, that seems like a lock.

It seems like it is the only way out of this situation. To keep revenue up until games can be made again in a consistent manner.

Everyone thinks the problem is now, it is actually farther down the road in 15-36 months.

 

[Felessan]

They were riding on past momentum the first half of the generation. Let's see what they have in store for the second part that's when the influence of the current mangement will be seen.

Were will Fortnite and Genshin go in second half of generation, the games that carrier first half?

 

[TheGodfather07]

Difference between sony and Microsoft. Failure has consequences with Sony. Failure gets you promoted at Microsoft. I still cant believe Phil spencer and Aaron greenberg are there. Even the fans are different. Playstation fans will let it be known when things are shit, xbox fans will worship the brand and its executives no matter what. I say fans but many are obvious shills. Don't need to name them.

 

[Felessan]

It seems like it is the only way out of this situation. To keep revenue up until games can be made again in a consistent manner.

Sony has a problem with keeping revenue up? Since when?
Their 1st (2nd) party revenue is ok, they had HD2, StellBlade and Astrobot last year. Their 3rd party revenue is more than ok - it's fantastic, partially driven by exclusivity deals.
They are not MS - there is no need for them to make rush decision and try to squeeze pennies hurting future bottom line