Shuhei Yoshida new PlayStation studio president

Senior vice president assumes the vacancy left at worldwide studios after Phil Harrison's departure.

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.

Yoshida assumes the role of president from today forward.

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."

33 Comments

  • 0307

    Posted Mar 13, 2009 12:21 pm PT

    Well i (excuse the french) bleedy hope this guy finishes the 2 games i was looking 4ward 2.
    Eight Days + The Getaway

  • EPaul

    Posted May 19, 2008 4:54 am PT

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

  • wars45

    Posted May 18, 2008 4:11 am PT

    cool

  • Tebbit

    Posted May 17, 2008 11:17 am PT

    lamprey263, AGREED!

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

  • jsmoke03

    Posted May 16, 2008 5:01 pm PT

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

  • lamprey263

    Posted May 16, 2008 1:49 pm PT

    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!!

  • nate1222

    Posted May 16, 2008 1:09 pm PT

    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.

  • ONLYDOD

    Posted May 16, 2008 12:59 pm PT

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

  • chromium42

    Posted May 16, 2008 12:42 pm PT

    "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.

  • Viral-venom13

    Posted May 16, 2008 11:58 am PT

    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!!

  • thekodaman

    Posted May 16, 2008 11:48 am PT

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

  • 5FingersOfDeath

    Posted May 16, 2008 11:32 am PT

    I wonder if this guy likes Motorstorm...

  • Makaatsu

    Posted May 16, 2008 10:47 am PT

    Welcome Shuhei Yoshida. I look forward to your E3 presentation

  • planetpib

    Posted May 16, 2008 10:31 am PT

    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.

  • akiwak

    Posted May 16, 2008 10:28 am PT

    Congrats new face hopefully = to refreshed Sony.

  • Sony_FanBoy

    Posted May 16, 2008 10:14 am PT

    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.

  • YourDaddy88

    Posted May 16, 2008 10:11 am PT

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

  • K_A_R_X

    Posted May 16, 2008 10:10 am PT

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

  • Hvac0120

    Posted May 16, 2008 9:20 am PT

    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.

  • telefanatic

    Posted May 16, 2008 9:00 am PT

    Its DOOM for SONY now!

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted May 16, 2008 8:42 am PT

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

  • teknicz

    Posted May 16, 2008 8:42 am PT

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

  • kos1085

    Posted May 16, 2008 7:54 am PT

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

  • Windblade91

    Posted May 16, 2008 5:13 am PT

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

  • Gamingcucumber

    Posted May 16, 2008 4:57 am PT

    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.

  • daveg1

    Posted May 16, 2008 4:54 am PT

    hope he does a good job
    ;0

  • galerian86

    Posted May 16, 2008 4:10 am PT

    @Lord_Morbidol

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

  • mashom

    Posted May 16, 2008 3:51 am PT

    he is good or bad we will see in future.

  • PS_Family

    Posted May 16, 2008 3:48 am PT

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

  • ColdRush88

    Posted May 16, 2008 3:48 am PT

    Well good luck to him.

  • EPaul

    Posted May 16, 2008 3:36 am PT

    Meh...

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

    Lord_Morbidol

    Posted May 16, 2008 3:17 am PT (hide)

    I can't help but feel like I don't care

  • Chutebox

    Posted May 16, 2008 3:15 am PT

    Cool?

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