Shuhei Yoshida, the former president of Worldwide Studios at Sony Interactive Entertainment, recently shared some of the most nerve-wracking moments from his extensive career at PlayStation. In an interview with MinnMax, Yoshida highlighted two significant instances that shook him to the core, both orchestrated by competitors Nintendo and Xbox.
The first terrifying moment came when Microsoft released the Xbox 360 a year before the PlayStation 3 hit the market. This early launch meant that gamers eager to dive into the next generation of video games would have to wait longer if they held out for Sony's console. "That was very, very scary," Yoshida recalled, emphasizing the pressure this put on PlayStation's team.
However, the moment that truly sent shockwaves through Yoshida was when Nintendo announced that Monster Hunter 4 would be exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS. This revelation was particularly unsettling because Monster Hunter had been a massive success on the PlayStation Portable (PSP), even spawning two exclusive titles. The news that the next installment would not only bypass the PlayStation brand but also be exclusive to a competing handheld was a significant blow.
To add insult to injury, Nintendo not only secured Monster Hunter 4 for the 3DS but also drastically reduced the price of the console by $100, making it significantly more affordable than Sony's PlayStation Vita. "After launch, both Nintendo 3DS and Vita were $250 but they dropped $100," Yoshida explained. "I was like, 'Oh my god'. And [then they] announced the biggest game... The biggest game on PSP was Monster Hunter. And that game is going to come out on Nintendo 3DS exclusively. I was like, 'Oh no.' That was the biggest shock."
Yoshida retired from Sony in January after over three decades with the company, where he had become a beloved figure and a face of the PlayStation brand. His departure has allowed him to share previously untold stories and insights, such as these pivotal moments in his career.
In addition to discussing these competitive challenges, Yoshida has also expressed his views on other topics, including his resistance to Sony's push towards live service games and his thoughts on why a remake or sequel to the cult classic Bloodborne might not be forthcoming.
These revelations from Yoshida provide a fascinating glimpse into the high-stakes world of console gaming and the intense competition that drives the industry forward.
