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GameSpot Video Games, PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, GameCube, PSP, DS, GBA, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Shuhei Yoshida new PlayStation studio president

Senior vice president assumes the vacancy left at worldwide studios after Phil Harrison's departure.
By Luke Anderson, GameSpot UK
Posted May 16, 2008 2:32 am PT

After 15 years at Sony, Phil Harrison stepped down as president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios in late February. After a week of speculation, Infogrames SA confirmed that Harrison would undertake the challenging role of president and director general at its subsidiary, Atari.

Sony Computer Entertainment announced today that, effective immediately, SCE WWS has a new president in Shuhei Yoshida, who was formerly senior vice president. Yoshida is certainly no stranger to the PlayStation business, having been with SCE since 1993, as one of its initial team members. In 1996, Yoshida assumed the role of product development producer, and then in 2000 was appointed vice president of product development for Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Yoshida will have big shoes to fill, and not just because Harrison is a man of tall stature. He'll be responsible for setting the global product strategy and managing the development operations of 16 studios in five countries.

Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO of SCE, said, "Under the leadership of Yoshida, who has [a] proven track record in managing creative talent, SCE WWS will accelerate the software development for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable platforms and vigorously expand the gaming market."

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32 Comments

First to Last Latest
EPaul

This Guy can't replace Phil, i bet he doesn't even like MotorStorm

Posted May 19, 2008 4:54 am PT
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wars45

cool

Posted May 18, 2008 4:11 am PT
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Tebbit

lamprey263, AGREED!

I've been waiting for a good console Wipeout since the last one on PS1 (fusion was pretty crap, lets be honest)

Posted May 17, 2008 11:17 am PT
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jsmoke03

better games, more exclusives...then we all good in my book

Posted May 16, 2008 5:01 pm PT
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lamprey263

I hope he cracks the whip on Psygnosis or whatever they're called now, 'cause besides working on the new WipeOut, I haven't heard much about any other projects. They used to be in such great harmony with Sony back in the PS1 days, making great exclusive series like WipeOut, Destruction, Colony Wars, G-Police... then they slowly did nothing; what the hell?! Yes, crack that whip!!

Posted May 16, 2008 1:49 pm PT
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nate1222

I wish SCE the best of luck. I'm not interested in PS3, but PSP is on my radar. I hope Yoshida will help them crank out some goodies on PSP and continue supporting PS2. In my book, the PS2 is the best console out right now. Tons-o-cheap goodies.

Posted May 16, 2008 1:09 pm PT
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ONLYDOD

from the look of his left eye it looks like he's having a staring contest.

Posted May 16, 2008 12:59 pm PT
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chromium42

"Viral-venom13 Well if he's been with the company for so long as Vice president then he must know what works and what doesn't. I want to see what new strategies will he be implementing into the organization now!!"

I would acually argue that from a management perspective, in order to continually innovate and motivate a company it is necessary to bring in talent from outside of the organization.

Regardless, I wish SCE good luck.

Posted May 16, 2008 12:42 pm PT
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Viral-venom13

Well if he's been with the company for so long as Vice president then he must know what works and what doesn't. I want to see what new strategies will he be implementing into the organization now!!

Posted May 16, 2008 11:58 am PT
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thekodaman

Well he cant be as crazy as Kutagari was could he? .... I certainly hope not =p

Posted May 16, 2008 11:48 am PT
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5FingersOfDeath

I wonder if this guy likes Motorstorm...

Posted May 16, 2008 11:32 am PT
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Makaatsu

Welcome Shuhei Yoshida. I look forward to your E3 presentation

Posted May 16, 2008 10:47 am PT
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planetpib

This is kinda like when peter moore left, just isnt the same any more...phil was awsome...some was peter....not so sure about this guy.

Posted May 16, 2008 10:31 am PT
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akiwak

Congrats new face hopefully = to refreshed Sony.

Posted May 16, 2008 10:28 am PT
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Sony_FanBoy

He's been with the company for a long time, but he has a lot to prove to me. Phil Harrison was THE MAN, Shuhei needs to prove that he's better than Phil was. That's going to take some doing.

Posted May 16, 2008 10:14 am PT
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YourDaddy88

Sweet - this guy's been around since day 1. He's got my support.

Posted May 16, 2008 10:11 am PT
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K_A_R_X

I wish you luck Shuhei Yoshida! Please, get us the HOME service as soon as possible, and, of course, new exclusive global hit titles!!!

Posted May 16, 2008 10:10 am PT
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Hvac0120

This guy could very well be the man behind the positive moves Sony has been making lately. I guess we'll all find out as time goes on and we see the results of his decisions. Harrison was a well-liked guy. Hopefully this guy has a great personality to go along with his marketing sense.

Posted May 16, 2008 9:20 am PT
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telefanatic

Its DOOM for SONY now!

Posted May 16, 2008 9:00 am PT
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NinjaMunkey01

hopefully he will do well and help playstation comtinue to be a success.

Posted May 16, 2008 8:42 am PT
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teknicz

Harrison leaves Sony for...Atari? Does that make sense?

Posted May 16, 2008 8:42 am PT
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kos1085

I agree. I hope this change will better sony as a company.

Posted May 16, 2008 7:54 am PT
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Windblade91

it seems that al the old execs of sony are being replaced...it seems as if sony's changing....hopefully for the good

Posted May 16, 2008 5:13 am PT
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Gamingcucumber

I wonder if he's one who will be able to perhaps become the new "something" in terms of leadership or if he's just going to run things quietly.

Posted May 16, 2008 4:57 am PT
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daveg1

hope he does a good job
;0

Posted May 16, 2008 4:54 am PT
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galerian86

@Lord_Morbidol

Yet you care enough to comment.
Anyway, best of luck to Mr. Yoshida.

Posted May 16, 2008 4:10 am PT
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mashom

he is good or bad we will see in future.

Posted May 16, 2008 3:51 am PT
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PS_Family

Emperor Hirai seems pleased with this man's appointment. Hopefully he will fill the big shoes that a legend like Phil left.

Posted May 16, 2008 3:48 am PT
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ColdRush88

Well good luck to him.

Posted May 16, 2008 3:48 am PT
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EPaul

Meh...

Posted May 16, 2008 3:36 am PT
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Lord_Morbidol Posted May 16, 2008 3:17 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)
Chutebox

Cool?

Posted May 16, 2008 3:15 am PT
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