Shuhei Yoshida, Key Industry Veteran and PSVR Pioneer, Steps Down from Sony

Shuhei Yoshida, fondly known as ‘Shu,’ has wrapped up a remarkable career of nearly 32 years at Sony. This long-standing chapter of his life and career came to a close as he bid farewell to the company recently.

The news of Yoshida’s departure was first shared back in November, with his retirement officially set for January 15th, 2025. The former President of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Worldwide Studios took his leave, marking the end of an era.

Reflecting on his journey, Yoshida shared in an interview on the PS blog, “From the very start, I’ve been part of PlayStation. After completing 31 years here, I began to feel that perhaps it was time to step aside. The company is thriving, and with the PS5’s success and the incredible games it offers, I’m proud of where we are. I have immense respect for the new generation of leaders at PlayStation and am genuinely excited about what’s to come.”

Yoshida has played a pivotal role throughout the PS3 and PS4 eras, contributing significantly to the triumph of iconic franchises like Gran Turismo, The Last of Us, and Uncharted.

Throughout his influential career, Yoshida has been a key figure in steering Sony’s gaming division through crucial phases, blending expertise in both hardware and software development. His legacy includes nurturing interactions with both mainstream ‘AAA’ and indie game developers. He embraced these initiatives wholeheartedly during his tenure as the Head of Indies Initiative at PlayStation, following his presidency at Sony’s Worldwide Studios.

A beloved figure within Sony, Yoshida also championed the creation and promotion of PSVR, striving to make virtual reality widely attainable by integrating it with the PS4.

First introduced to the public at GDC 2014 under the codename Project Morpheus, Yoshida was instrumental in emphasizing VR within Sony. He undertook public appearances, delivered keynotes, and tirelessly worked with developers to ensure a robust VR content lineup for the platform.

His efforts to position PSVR as an affordable entry into virtual reality were key to its 2016 launch, offering a more cost-effective alternative to higher-priced PC VR systems like the HTC Vive and the original Oculus Rift, which required expensive PCs.

While Yoshida has not yet disclosed his future plans in detail, he continues to express interest in the video game industry. He recently announced a new venture, lending his voice to Kaizen Game Works’ upcoming project, Promise Mascot Agency, where he will breathe life into a bird-like character named ‘MonouGe.’

Yoshida has consistently been a refreshing, positive presence in the gaming world, and his future endeavors are awaited with great interest. Road to VR extends heartfelt thanks and best wishes to him. 吉田さん、ありがとうございます。(Thank you very much, Yoshida-san!)