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[ComboBongo]

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.

Yeah I see what you’re saying and even though PS3 was fuckup, it still outsold the 360. Which is crazy in hindsight.

PS5 being AMD played a part in rolling everyone over from PS4 but sure most people aren’t aware of that and it’s the brand mostly driving it.

 

[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 Japanese preferences, he's gonna continue with GAAS.

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, no way he gets a sole CEO role at the company again unless something drastic happens. I think he leaves SIE in a year or two, tops.

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

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

I understand. Those games were in development a long time. I’m talking about when the time comes for all those GaaS games to release from those studios. Again, I respect what you’re saying. I’m just saying, look farther out.

It is why I personally think the PSP3 or whatever is Sony’s next gen and they will recycle a lot of older titles. ALOT.

 

[SSfox]

Good shit fuck Hermen this guy is a plague for the PS brand and called it since day one

Can't believe that idiot is still in charge of Sony WWS. In the corporate ladder, you really do fail upwards.

I think it's just a matter of time before they find someone for the post, it's not something you find in 24 hours

 

[Toots]

First the day of the year is good for cleaning trash (dutch or otherwise).

 

[NuclearDiarrhea]

Hermen Hulst gonna get his revenge on the gamers who prematurely celebrated his demise by green-lighting five new Horizon projects.

 

[Scrawnton]

I'm really hoping Sony returns to the late PS3 / Early PS4 mentality. They started losing me post-Uncharted 4 with their games' tone and structure and it's to the point where (outside of GT7 and Astrobot) I'm not even a PlayStation consumer anymore.

I literally just had the realization that this entire generation I only ever bought three first party Sony games. Demon's Souls, GT7, and Astrobot. All phenomenal experiences, but everything else they put out seems so generic and cookie cutter.

 

[Elios83]

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.

I also think the GaaS push will continue, they really want and need a few successes like Helldivers 2.
If Hulst was responsible for the whole initiative he would be already out but he's not.
Other higher level executives in the company wanted and still want that.
But he's responsible for the execution and clearly his road to the top has been blocked by the poor execution with flops like Concord, cancellations and studio closures for which someone has to take responsibility and clearly it won't be Totoki.
Now they will rebalance the investements.
GaaS will be scaled back while single player productions should get more money.
I also think that partnerships with external studios will be greatly increased in the future with key investements like what they did with Kadokawa and also scouting future hits especially among energent chinese/korean developers (things like Stellar Blade and Wukong have done really well for them).

 

[yogaflame]

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.

If it will be just like ps3 a late bloomer, then it will be fine with me. During the tail end of ps3 era, in fairness ND gave us great exclusives games Uncharted 2 and 3 and Last of us 1, and along with Demon soul from Sony and fromsoftware collaboration which very much save Ps3. Actually ps5 has more time maybe 4 more years and with ps5 pro, it can still extend it to maybe 5 with pssr ml continues to mature in a fast pace.

 

[laynelane]

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.

The "no games" narrative has been a thing for every Playstation since the PS3. It will also be there when the PS6, PS7, etc. come around. It's not really true, never has been, but such hyperbolic takes tend to gain traction online. The number of people online who parrot this narrative, however, is completely eclipsed by the number of people who just buy the console and play games.

'Sony is doomed' is a common narrative too. I imagine they will somehow manage to squeak by even without porting to Xbox and doing day and date on PC, though.

 

[Killjoy-NL]

It helped them sell as much as it did.

Playstation will always sell well.

If people want to correlate it to hardware manufactorers, the only time they didn't sell more than 100M was when they went with Nvidia.

 

[justiceiro]

This seems to confirm what I suspected: Herman was there to close as many studios as possible. Now that he's done...

 

[jm89]

This seems to confirm what I suspected: Herman was there to close as many studios as possible. Now that he's done...

His back to his old role though. I don't like hulst but the closure of studios is not one mans failure.

 

[zedinen]

Sony Group

Kenichiro Yoshida (1959), will step down as CEO of Sony Group

Hiroki Totoki (1964) will step down as COO and CFO of Sony Group, and Chairman of SIE to become CEO of Sony Group.

Lin Tao, currently serving as SVP, Finance, Corporate Strategy and Development for SIE, will step down from her position at SIE to become CFO of Sony Group

SIE

Hideaki Nishino was appointed president and CEO of SIE (he was appointed CEO of the Platform Business Group effective June 1, 2024,)

Hermen Hulst who was appointed CEO of the Studio Business Group, will continue to serve as CEO, Studio Business Group, SIE, reporting to Nishino.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

Glad to see Hulst still there

 

[Sintoid]

His first statement:"Fuckko offo PC"

 

[Baldesion]

Hulst es el único de los tres que sabe algo sobre cómo crear un juego.

 

[Spiral1407]

I'll be happy when Hulst is gone

 

[SSfox]

If he was bad, he would have been fired

In the Japanese culture work when you fuck up they don't straight fire you, they demote you. That's what happened to Yoshinori Ono.

 

[SSfox]

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!!

Someone with Kazuya avatar and nickname saying such thing is such a disgrace

 

[nial]

All the posts asking for the man to be fired indicate that I'm not this case here, lol.

Might have a new game to look into. Hope there's an English version.

It's Patchwork Heroes.

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

The "no games" narrative has been a thing for every Playstation since the PS3. It will also be there when the PS6, PS7, etc. come around. It's not really true, never has been, but such hyperbolic takes tend to gain traction online. The number of people online who parrot this narrative, however, is completely eclipsed by the number of people who just buy the console and play games.

'Sony is doomed' is a common narrative too. I imagine they will somehow manage to squeak by even without porting to Xbox and doing day and date on PC, though.

No, i don’t think that is true. That is a false narrative. I don’t believe people said that during ps3 or ps4. Especially ps3. Maybe during launch year.

It is true that every gen, games take longer to develop, thus consumers will receive less games. This is even true of Nintendo. You will see that with Switch 2 for sure.

I’m not a zealot, i really don’t care if Sony gets purchased or Nintendo for that matter. If we all accept it or not, the Pandemic caused a great disruption in gaming and the industry is undergoing massive change as a result. I do not think there will be 3 hardware makers in 5 years, i do not but, i do think competition is good for hardware. I am hopeful Xbox and PlayStation can turn it around. But we will see.

The other thing I think that is worth pointing out…I assume most posters on NeoGaf are between 25-45 years old. I read somewhere the average age of a PS5/Xbox owner is in their 30’s. So, we may be in an echo chamber. Our views may not represent gaming moving forward. How do teens view PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo? Kids that predominantly grew up with mobile, ipad, Chromebook gaming. Gaming like Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite.

They will be the future buyers as we approach PS6, Xbox 520, etc. Some of us will age out and not purchase future systems, which is only natural.

 

[nial]

Kenichiro Yoshida will remain chairman of SGC as per the PR thicc_girls_are_teh_best

 

[Physiognomonics]

A manager replaced by a financial adviser? Pick your poison I guess. Nothing will change except maybe less Horizon fetishism.

 

[Roman Empire]

Little by little Japan is taking control back of Sony. Totoki already showed he is very strict with the company's slip ups, so it's only natural he is getting Hermen on a tighter leash.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Totoki was probably shook by game cancellations, Hulst was asked to keep a closer eye on development.

So he was freed from additional responsibilities, to make sure games are upto snuff.

Thats how I see it. We can expect Hulst to be even more involved in development. Not sure if its a good or a bad thing.

 

[Felessan]

In the Japanese culture work when you fuck up they don't straight fire you, they demote you. That's what happened to Yoshinori Ono.

It wasn't real demotion, he just lost corporate battle to Nishino
Co-heads are temporary state and require supervision (higher level arbitrator). Totoki was chairman of SIE and solved disputes between the two. As Totoki went up - the decision who should take the place of single point of decision have be made.

 

[Fake]

Hermen Hulst gonna get his revenge on the gamers

Oh great, another game SIE plot.

 

[RCU005]

S 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.

I agree, but if you start measuring the amount of good and shit games from each generation, you'd realize that PS5 has had more shit than good games overall. They've had less games, and Playstation Studios is practically MIA this gen because they're focusing 98% of their attention into making horrible GaaS games and failing miserably at it.

 

[DenchDeckard]

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.

Bro, explain James Sawyer Ford and SweetTooth

 

[Killjoy-NL]

I agree, but if you start measuring the amount of good and shit games from each generation, you'd realize that PS5 has had more shit than good games overall. They've had less games, and Playstation Studios is practically MIA this gen because they're focusing 98% of their attention into making horrible GaaS games and failing miserably at it.

If you ask me, Sony always had more uninteresting/mediocre games than not.
Although that is often highly subjective.

But I guess this is also where they run into the issue of having less games due to rising costs and longer development cycles.

 

[SweetTooth]

Bro, explain James Sawyer Ford and SweetTooth

What about me? Look at any ND (intergalactic thread) I have been really critical even harsh.. I also voiced my concerns about Sony management and their SF headquarters multiple times!

Also please don't badmouth my boy James!

 

[Hari Seldon]

I'm really hoping Sony returns to the late PS3 / Early PS4 mentality. They started losing me post-Uncharted 4 with their games' tone and structure and it's to the point where (outside of GT7 and Astrobot) I'm not even a PlayStation consumer anymore.

I literally just had the realization that this entire generation I only ever bought three first party Sony games. Demon's Souls, GT7, and Astrobot. All phenomenal experiences, but everything else they put out seems so generic and cookie cutter.

Yep this will definitely be my last plastic box unless the ship is corrected in a major way.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

A manager replaced by a financial adviser? Pick your poison I guess. Nothing will change except maybe less Horizon fetishism.

Gaming strategic decisions will be made by Hermen. What has changed is that he will be under severe control. IMO they are just looking for a replacement. PS Studios have 3 time bombs ticking right now:

- Haven: Sony's next flop is around the corner. Strike 1 if the costs are less than 100M.

- Bend: they have two years max before shutting down. If they haven't produced anything by 2027, strike 2.

- Bungie: what happens with Marathon will decide the studio's fate. If this flops, the shockwaves will reach Japan. Hermen wouldn't survive that.

I doubt Marvel Insomniac or Intergalactic can turn things around for him.

 

[Skifi28]

Bro, explain James Sawyer Ford and SweetTooth

I'm not sure you want to open this box.

 

[Kacho]

Gaming strategic decisions will be made by Hermen. What has changed is that he will be under severe control. IMO they are just looking for a replacement. PS Studios have 3 time bombs ticking right now:

- Haven: Sony's next flop is around the corner. Strike 1 if the costs are less than 100M.

- Bend: they have two years max before shutting down. If they haven't produced anything by 2027, strike 2.

- Bungie: what happens with Marathon will decide the studio's fate. If this flops, the shockwaves will reach Japan. Hermen wouldn't survive that.

I doubt Marvel Insomniac or Intergalactic can turn things around for him.

I agree. I think this is more of a timing thing. Let him manage the games he greenlit over the next few years while they look for a replacement for their future strategy.

 

[Horseganador]

Changes at Sony's top management...good, Hermen continues...bad.

 

[Hudo]

Maybe Totoki can relocate the Playstation HQ back to Japan.

 

[drganon]

I'm not sure you want to open your half dozen xboxs.

Fixed

 

[ArtHands]

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.

Seems you have bad memories then.

 

[Kacho]

support PS ports like The Last of Us Part II

 

[seb85]

Fire hemen

 

[Trilobit]

Please Japan leadership bring back OG titles Legend of Dragoon, Alundra, Legend of Legaia, and Wild arms. Those legendary PS rpg. And totaly buy 100% of Fromsoftware and Shift up.

And Ape Escape and Sly Cooper too! Don't forget about Sly!

 

[HogIsland]

Maybe Totoki can relocate the Playstation HQ back to Japan.

Can't figure out why anyone would want this, or how it makes any sense.

 

[kazuyamishima]

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Bro, explain James Sawyer Ford and SweetTooth

I’m critical of Sony when it makes sense

I just don’t shit on them for decades while giving them zero credit and fantasizing their doom on a daily basis like you do Dench, all while claiming their competition has an amazing lineup in comparison when they don’t

 

[SweetTooth]

I'm not sure you want to open this box.

 

[adamsapple]

I’m critical of Sony when it makes sense

 

[Topher]

Can't figure out why anyone would want this, or how it makes any sense.

Because folks noticed a shift to more of a "woke" attitude in Sony games after the move to California. And people also want Sony to return to their Japanese roots in making games with games like The Last Guardian, Eco, Shadow of the Colossus, etc.

 

[Topher]

Are you ever critical of Microsoft?