Shawn Layden, the former Chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios and PlayStation boss, has now joined Tencent as a strategic advisor. Layden was most active during the development of the PlayStation 4 and its exclusive releases during his time at Sony.
Layden first joined Sony under its corporate communications department in Japan in 1987, serving as the Communication Assistant to Sony co-founder Akio Morita for several years. He began managing software development before eventually succeeding Jack Tretton as President and CEO of SCEA.
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Layden was considered instrumental in the success of the PS4. He stepped down from Sony in late 2019, though many reports at the time assumed that his departure from the company had to do with an internal power struggle with SIE President Jim Ryan over the restructuring and globalisation of PlayStation. Layden denounced these rumours, citing exhaustion as his primary reason for leaving and with the arrival of the PS5, he said it was a “good time to put the pin in my legacy.”
The former Sony executive has now updated his LinkedIn profile confirming that he has joined Tencent as a strategic advisor, stating:
“I am delighted to share that I have recently joined Tencent Games as a strategic advisor. In this new role, I hope to advise, assist, and support the team at Tencent as they deepen their activities and commitments within the industry to which I’ve devoted the majority of my career. We are at an epoch defining moment in gaming and interactive entertainment. There are many possible roads ahead but only a few are profound, broadening, inclusive, edifying, inspiring, and/or sustainable. I am thrilled to continue this journey of discovery and thank Tencent for the opportunity.”
Sony’s executive force currently consists of Jim Ryan and former Guerrilla Games managing director Hermen Hulst.
Source: Video Games Chronicle
