The former boss of Sony America joins the video game giant

Posted on 09/20/2022 11:11

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One of the former big bosses of Sony and PlayStation will now referee at Tencent Games. He will provide advice on the strategy of the Chinese giant.

Shawn Layden has just announced that he is joining the The Chinese video game giant Tencent Gamesin that strategic advisor.

Shawn Layden is back in the game

In a publication on LinkedInannouncements by Shawn Layden his arrival at a new company in the video game industry. In fact, you may remember, but in September 2019 we were told that Shawn Layden was has retired as CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios. Two years later, in September 2021, Layden told Bloomberg that he did he left Sony because it was sold outand that the success of the launch of the PS5 was the good time to retire. His legacy within Sony and PlayStation was therefore appreciated, and he departed in full glory. Only, a year later, it looks just like that retirement is no longer on the agenda …

One of the big names of Sony PlayStation, especially in the United States

Layden was first a producer, within the PlayStation International Software Development Division in Japan, from May 1996 to January 2019. He was too vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment in Europe between January 1999 and September 2007. He has accumulated mandates, being himself too president of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan from October 2007 to March 2010.

Above all, it was known for his work in the United States. There was Layden COO of Sony Network Entertainment from April 2010 to March 2014, then CEO and Director of Sony Computer Entertainment America until March 2016, then CEO and Director of Sony Interactive Entertainment America until March 2018. As previously mentioned, he also directed Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios from April 2016 to October 2019. But it hadn’t been entirely without activity since then. Indeed, it has among other things business consultant such as Streamline Media, ExCo Rgoup or Encore Leadership. In addition to these little-known companies, we now learn that it will recommend a video game giant, Tencentreturning to the fore of the videogame scene, even if he is “only” a strategic advisor.

“A defining moment for video games”

So it looks like Tencent dreams of seeing itself as the new Sonysince they ask for the advice from one of the men who defined Sony’s strategy from the PlayStation 1. It must be said that in in a quarter of a century, Sony and PlayStation have become major players of the sector, a model that Surely Tencent would like to copyand apply even faster. Either way, Layden seems happy to get out of his “retirement”:

UPDATE: I am pleased to announce that I recently joined #TencentGames as a strategy consultant. In this new role, I hope to advise, assist and support the Tencent team as they deepen their activities and commitments within the industry to which I have dedicated much of my career. We are in a turning point for interactive play and entertainment. There are many possible paths, but only a few will deepen, expand, include, uplift, inspire and / or sustain. I am thrilled to continue this journey of discovery and thank Tencent for this opportunity. 💥🎮🦾💙

#tencent #innovation #video games #interactive

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