The current president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Jim Ryan, has decided to step down in March 2024 after nearly 30 years of service. The news was announced the day before yesterday through an official statement on SIE’s website. The decision was made by Jim himself, as he finds it increasingly difficult to balance his personal life with his work. He will be replaced by Hiroki Totoki, the current chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Sony Group Corporation, who will assume the presidency of SIE starting in October. On April 1, 2024, Totoki will be named interim CEO of SIE while continuing his current role at Sony Group Corporation.
Jim’s departure marks the end of a story that began nearly three decades ago. In 1994, he joined Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (currently Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe). Since then, he has held several senior positions within the company, including president of SIEE, head of Global Sales and Marketing at SIE, and vice president of SIE since January 2018, before being named president and CEO of SIE.
Why Is Jim Ryan Leaving the Presidency of SIE?
“After 30 years, I have decided to retire from SIE in March 2024. I have loved having the opportunity to work at a job I love in a very special company, working with great people and incredible partners. However, I find it increasingly difficult to reconcile living in Europe and working in North America. I will leave having had the privilege of working on products that have impacted millions of lives worldwide. PlayStation will always be a part of my life, and I feel more optimistic than ever about SIE’s future. I want to thank Yoshida-san for placing so much trust in me and for being an incredibly understanding and supportive leader.”
Jim Ryan
Farewell Words from Sony’s Senior Leaders
The current president and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, Kenichiro Yoshida, dedicated a few words to the long-serving president.
“Jim Ryan has been an inspiring leader throughout his tenure with us, but never more so than when overseeing the launch of PlayStation 5 during the global COVID pandemic. That extraordinary achievement by the entire SIE team has been steadily built upon, and PlayStation 5 is on track to become SIE’s most successful console to date. I am immensely grateful to Jim for all his accomplishments. Respecting Jim’s decision to end his long career at Sony leaves me with an important task regarding his succession, given the significance of the gaming and network services business. We have thoroughly discussed and determined the new management structure. Our goal is to achieve greater evolution and growth for the Sony Group, bringing even more success to the gaming and network services business.”
Hiroki Totoki, who will at least temporarily take over as Jim’s replacement, also expressed gratitude for Ryan.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Jim Ryan for his outstanding achievements and contributions throughout his 30-year career at Sony, including the great success of the PlayStation 5 launch. The PlayStation business managed by SIE is an essential part of Sony Group’s overall portfolio. I will work closely with Jim and the senior management team to ensure our continued success and further growth. I also look forward to creating the exciting future of PlayStation and the gaming industry alongside everyone at SIE and its business partners.”
Phil Spencer Also Shared a Few Words for His Old Rival
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming and head of Xbox, also commented on the news, dedicating a few words to what had been his biggest rival.
Jim Ryan has been a great contributor to our industry and a fierce leader for PlayStation. I wish him the best in what he does next. Thank you for all you’ve done for the community over the last 30 years, Jim.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) September 28, 2023
“Jim Ryan has contributed greatly to our industry and has been a fierce leader for PlayStation. I wish him the best in whatever he does next. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the community over the past 30 years, Jim.”
The rivalry between these two titans has reached its peak in recent months, fueled by court disputes and news coverage worldwide regarding Microsoft’s attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard King and Sony’s repeated efforts to block the deal. Despite the antagonism between both sides, Spencer’s gesture is commendable, setting rivalry aside and acknowledging the contributions of a major figure in the industry. This action demonstrates that the “console war” should not be a real war but rather friendly competition, as in the end, we are all lovers of video games, regardless of the platform we identify with.
