Jim Ryan, the head of PlayStation and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, is stepping down from his position, as announced by Sony. Jim Ryan is retiring after working with Sony for almost thirty years. In a Press release, Sony announced that Ryan will retire in March 2024. After his departure from the firm, Sony Group Corporation president and chief operational officer Hiroki Totoki will take over as interim CEO.
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier broke the story first on X(formerly known as Twitter), and Sony quickly confirmed it with their own release. Hiroki Totoki will take over as interim CEO on April 1, 2024. The president, COO, and CFO of Sony Group Corporation will also become chairman of SIE beginning next month to “support Mr Ryan in his transition,” according to Sony.
Jim Ryan, PlayStation Head and CEO, Announced His Retirement from Sony Interactive Entertainment
Jim Ryan has been with Sony for 28 years, beginning his career at the company’s European department in 1994 and rising through the ranks to become the president of worldwide sales and marketing. In 2019, Ryan replaced John Kodera as the president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Ryan was best known at Sony for overseeing the launch of the PlayStation 5. While supply chain restrictions made the console difficult to find during and after the COVID-19 epidemic, shipments rebounded. Sony said in July that it had sold 40 million PS5 consoles.
His time at Sony has witnessed the launch of first-part exclusives like Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarök. During his tenure, PS VR2 was released, as well as a major turn by the subscription service PS Plus to compete more directly with Xbox Game Pass’ Netflix-like collection of games.
Ryan explained his decision in a statement, citing the challenge of living in the UK while working in the United States.
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
Xbox boss Phil Spencer took to X, formerly Twitter to express his greetings. He stated, “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.”
The surprising departure comes just a few months after Sony agreed to a 10-year deal with Microsoft to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Despite an intense legal battle in the United States with the FTC and in the United Kingdom with the Competition and Markets Authority, both of which included evidence by Ryan, the historic merger is expected to finalize in October.
Totoki will replace Ryan as chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment in October 2023. Sony also stated that Totoki will “work closely” with Sony Group Corporation Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida to oversee PlayStation’s future, “including the succession of the SIE CEO role.”
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