Sony has announced that PlayStation boss Jim Ryan will retire in March, capping off nearly 30 years with the company that saw him spearhead the launch of Sony’s current generation offering, the PlayStation 5.
Ryan took the top job at PlayStation in 2019, becoming president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Previously, he led SIE’s European operations and headed global marketing for PlayStation.
In a statement issued WednesdaySony said: “Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) today announced that SIE President and CEO Jim Ryan has made the decision to retire in March 2024 after nearly thirty years with the PlayStation business.”
Although Ryan will not step down until the end of March, he will be replaced in the meantime by Hiroki Totoki, who will take on the role of chairman of SIE from October to help with the transition. Totoki will retain his existing role at the Sony Group Corporation, and it appears Sony is still figuring out who they want to lead their PlayStation efforts.
In the statement, Ryan spoke about the difficulties of living in Europe but working in North America. He said: “After 30 years, I have made the decision to retire from SIE in March 2024. I have enjoyed the opportunity to have a job that I love in a very special company, where I work with great people and great partners. But I’ve found it increasingly difficult to combine living in Europe with working in North America. I will have had the privilege of working on products that touched millions of lives around the world; PlayStation will always be a part of my life and I feel more optimistic than ever about the future of SIE. I would like to thank Yoshida-san for putting so much trust in me and being an incredibly sensitive and supportive leader.”
Would you like to donate one to Jim Ryan’s estate? We have a list of the best PlayStation5 games if you’re so inclined.