former Sony boss Shawn Layden still harbors a tinge of professional jealousy over a missed prospect during his tenure at the gaming giant. Despite the Tomb raider franchise’s strong association with PlayStation, its Japanese debut actually landed on the Sega Saturn, a fact that continues to irk Layden.
Layden, who spent 32 years at Sony, culminating in his role as chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios (now PlayStation Studios) before departing in 2019, recently reflected on this experience during an interview with Eurogamer for their PlayStation 30th Anniversary coverage. When asked about moments of professional envy, Layden recounted his efforts to bring Western games to the Japanese market and the disappointment of losing tomb Raider to Sega, at least initially.
“I wanted to get Tomb Raider for the Japanese market,” Layden recalled. “I wanted it to be on PlayStation. And I saw [Jeremy Heath-smith and Adrian Smith, founders of original Tomb Raider developer Core Design], and we talked about it, and they were really excited about the concept. We talked it through. They talked it through. Bada bing, bada boom… they signed to bring it out on Sega Saturn. Sega?! And then shortly thereafter, they did get it onto the PlayStation in Japan as well, but it launched on Sega. And yeah, that always felt… What could I have done to have actually gotten it? But I came that close.”
While Tomb Raider simultaneously launched on PlayStation and Saturn in North America, according to MobyGames, its Japanese debut was a Saturn exclusive for nearly a month. This early victory for Sega in the Japanese market clearly left a lasting impression on Layden.
Interestingly, Tomb Raider was initially conceived as a PlayStation game after Ken Kutaragi, often dubbed “the father of PlayStation,” showcased Sony’s first console to Core Design’s Jeremy Heath-Smith in the early 1990s. this suggests Sony has a legitimate claim to the franchise’s legacy. However, for Layden, the sting of losing the Japanese debut to Sega remains a lingering memory.
Former Sony Boss shawn Layden Reveals Lingering Envy Over Missed “Tomb Raider” Prospect
Table of Contents
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios chairman shawn Layden, a key figure in PlayStation’s success, recently opened up about a professional regret that continues to linger. During a recent interview with Eurogamer for their PlayStation 30th anniversary coverage, Layden expressed his envy over losing the initial japanese release of the iconic “Tomb Raider” franchise to Sega Saturn.
Despite the franchise’s tight association with PlayStation, its debut in japan was a Sega Saturn exclusive, a fact that still irks Layden after all these years. This article delves deeper into Layden’s experience, exploring the context of Sony’s struggles to secure western titles for the Japanese market and the lasting impact of losing “Tomb Raider” to Sega.
A Missed Opportunity in the Land of the Rising Sun
Layden, who spent 32 years at Sony, recalled actively pursuing “Tomb Raider” for the Japanese market. He met with Core design founders Jeremy Heath-Smith and Adrian Smith, expressing his enthusiasm for the project.However, despite initial positive conversations, Core Design ultimately chose to release “Tomb Raider” first on the Sega Saturn in Japan.
“I wanted to get Tomb Raider for the Japanese market. I wanted it to be on PlayStation. And I saw [Jeremy Heath-smith and Adrian Smith], and we talked about it, and they were really excited about the concept. We talked it through. They talked it through. Bada bing, bada boom… they signed to bring it out on Sega Saturn. *Sega?!* And then shortly thereafter, they did get it onto the PlayStation in Japan as well, but it launched on Sega. And yeah, that always felt… What could I have done to have actually gotten it? But I came that close.”
Layden’s disappointment highlights the challenges Sony faced in securing Western titles for the Japanese market,a demographic they were keen to capture.
A PlayStation Legacy With a Sega Twist
Interestingly, “Tomb Raider” was initially conceived as a PlayStation game. ken Kutaragi, “the father of PlayStation,” showed Sony’s first console to Core Design’s Jeremy Heath-Smith, cementing early ties between the franchise and the PlayStation brand. Ultimately, “Tomb Raider” was released together on both PlayStation and Saturn in North America, with the Japanese release seeing a staggered launch, with saturn getting the game a month before PlayStation.
While “Tomb Raider” became synonymous with PlayStation, Layden’s anecdote offers a unique outlook on the franchise’s origins and the fierce competition between gaming giants in the early 1990s.
Layden’s experience with “Tomb Raider” offers valuable insights for industry professionals. It emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with developers, understanding regional markets, and being prepared to act decisively in a competitive landscape.
What are your thoughts on Shawn Layden’s reflections on “Tomb Raider”? Let us know in the comments below!
For more insights into the world of gaming,check out our articles on:
- The History of PlayStation
- The Impact of “Tomb Raider” on Gaming Culture
- Shawn Layden’s Post-sony Career