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.</p>\r\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>"I wanted to get <em>Tomb ⁤Raider</em> 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. <em>Sega?!</em> 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."</p>\r\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>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.</p>\r\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\r\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\r\n<p>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.</p>\r\n<!-- /wp:paragraph --> <br/> <h1><span id="former-sony-boss-shawn-layden-reveals-lingering-envy-over-missed-tomb-raider-prospect">Former Sony Boss shawn Layden Reveals⁤ Lingering Envy Over Missed "Tomb Raider" Prospect</span></h1><div id="aiomatic_toc_container" class=" "><p class="aiomatic_toc_title">Table of Contents</p><ul class="aiomatic_toc_list"><li><a href="#former-sony-boss-shawn-layden-reveals-lingering-envy-over-missed-tomb-raider-prospect">Former Sony Boss shawn Layden Reveals⁤ Lingering Envy Over Missed "Tomb Raider" Prospect</a><ul><li><a href="#a-missed-opportunity-in-the-land-of-the-rising-sun">A Missed​ Opportunity in the Land of the Rising Sun</a></li><li><a href="#a-playstation-legacy-with-a-sega-twist">A PlayStation Legacy With a Sega‌ Twist</a></li><li><a href="#lessons-learned-navigating-a-competitive-gaming-landscape">Lessons Learned:⁤ navigating⁣ a‍ Competitive⁢ Gaming Landscape</a></li><li><a href="#share-your-thoughts">Share Your‌ Thoughts!</a></li></ul></li></ul></div>\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<p>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.</p><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<p>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.</p><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<h2><span id="a-missed-opportunity-in-the-land-of-the-rising-sun">A Missed​ Opportunity in the Land of the Rising Sun</span></h2><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<p>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.</p><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<blockquote><p>"I wanted to get <em>Tomb Raider</em> 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."</p> </blockquote><p>Layden's disappointment highlights the challenges ⁤Sony faced in securing Western titles ‍for the Japanese market,a demographic they were ​keen to⁢ capture.</p><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<h2><span id="a-playstation-legacy-with-a-sega-twist">A PlayStation Legacy With a Sega‌ Twist</span></h2><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<p>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.</p><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<p>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.</p><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<h2><span id="lessons-learned-navigating-a-competitive-gaming-landscape">Lessons Learned:⁤ navigating⁣ a‍ Competitive⁢ Gaming Landscape</span></h2><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<p>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.</p samodziel<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<h2><span id="share-your-thoughts">Share Your‌ Thoughts!</span></h2><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<p>What are your thoughts on Shawn Layden's reflections on "Tomb Raider"? Let us know in ​the comments below!</p><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<p>For more‍ insights⁤ into the world of gaming,check out our articles on:</p><br /><br />\r\n<br /><br />\r\n<ul><br /><br />\r\n <li><a href="#">The History⁢ of PlayStation</a></li><br /><br />\r\n <li><a href="#">The Impact of "Tomb Raider"‌ on Gaming ‍Culture</a></li><br /><br />\r\n <li><a href="#">Shawn Layden's Post-sony ‌Career</a></li><br /><br />\r\n</ul><br/><br/><div class="automaticx-video-container"><iframe allow="autoplay" width="580" height="380" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XELN7qIF7Ew" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> ?"> Submit