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Sony’s Live-Service Strategy Shift and Shawn Layden’s Exit
The PlayStation 4 era was lauded by many enthusiasts for its impressive lineup of blockbuster single-player, Game of the Year contenders, such as God of War and Spider-Man. However, with the arrival of the PS5 in 2020, Sony shifted its focus towards live-service gaming, aiming to tap into the expanding multiplayer market. Shawn Layden, a former executive who departed Sony abruptly after three decades of service just before the new console’s launch, recently implied that this strategic pivot contributed to his decision to leave.
Layden’s Perspective on Sony’s Strategic Direction
In a recent podcast interview, Layden, who served as Chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios from 2014 to 2019, stated, “To be honest, you know, the company was making some strategic decisions about where they want to take the platform in the future with a heavy emphasis in games as a service, live-service gaming, subscription formulas, recurring revenue, whatnot, and that was kind of not my wheelhouse.”
He further elaborated, “I just make things like God of War and Spider-Man and Last of Us and Uncharted [and] Horizon,” adding, “I didn’t have the vision or the energy to try to, you know, take it to this this new area of live-service gaming so, all that considered, it seemed like a good time to step down after 32 years at Sony.”
Departure Preceded PS5 Launch
Layden’s departure from Sony occurred in September 2019, slightly over a year before the PS5 was released. At the time, the official PlayStation account tweeted, “His visionary leadership will be greatly missed. We wish him success in future endeavors and are deeply grateful for his years of service. Thanks for everything, Shawn!”
The transition was not marked by a formal press announcement and transpired merely six months after Jim Ryan’s promotion to CEO of PlayStation. In 2021, when questioned about his exit and whether it stemmed from internal disagreements, Layden told Bloomberg that it simply felt like the opportune moment to conclude his tenure. “I think I took my time at the moment I saw best to take it,” he stated in 2021. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
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Post-Layden Era and Live-Service Game Performance
Since Layden’s departure, the gaming landscape at PlayStation has continued to evolve. Ryan has also since been replaced in a 2024 corporate restructuring that briefly resulted in two co-CEOs at PlayStation. Furthermore, Sony’s live-service initiative has encountered obstacles in gaining significant traction. While PS5 sales in the U.S. have surpassed those of the PS4 during a comparable period, even without a price reduction four years into the console cycle, there’s a prevailing sentiment that Sony’s live-service ambitions during this hardware generation have potentially detracted from the production of single-player hits and innovative new franchises that the publisher’s first-party catalog has historically been recognized for.
Live-Service Game Successes and Failures
The results of this live-service strategy have been varied. Helldivers 2 stands out as a notable success, although it was technically a second-party title building upon an existing IP from the PS4 generation. Conversely, there have been disappointments such as Concord, the slowing momentum of Destiny 2, and the cancellation of numerous projects, ranging from The Last of Us Online to a multiplayer God of War spin-off.
Future of Sony’s Gaming Portfolio
Sony still has upcoming multiplayer ventures in development, including the heist shooter FairGame$. However, the company has now called off a greater number of these projects than it had initially pledged to release by 2026. A Sony spokesperson informed Bloomberg earlier this year of their ongoing commitment to producing both single-player and multiplayer games, although the precise balance remains uncertain. Recently, Sony unveiled new single-player projects, including Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet from Naughty Dog and Saros from Housemarque. While these titles appear promising, their release may still be years away.