Jim Ryan Is Stepping Down From His Role As PlayStation’s Big Boss

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that Jim Ryan, the current CEO and President of SIE, will be stepping down from his role in March 2024.

After nearly 30 years with PlayStation, Jim Ryan has made the decision to retire in March of next year. As revealed through a press release on the SIE website, my dad will be passing the Chairman reins over to Sony Group Corporation President, COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki in October, to allow for a smooth transition. Then, as of April 2024, Totoki will assume the role of interim CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, while also continuing with his current role.

Jim Ryan thanks the PlayStation community as he announces his plans to retire from Sony Interactive Entertainment in March 2024: https://t.co/FFarEpedBh

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) September 27, 2023

CEO of Sony, Kenichiro Yoshida, gave Ryan his flowers, saying in the press release, “Jim Ryan has been an inspirational leader throughout his entire period with us, but never more so than in overseeing the launch of PlayStation 5 in the midst of the global COVID pandemic. That extraordinary achievement made by the entire SIE team has been steadily built on and PlayStation 5 is on track to become SIE’s most successful console yet. I’m immensely grateful to Jim for all his achievements. Respecting Jim’s decision to finish his long career at Sony leaves me with an important decision regarding his succession given the significance of the Game & Network Services business. We have discussed intensively and have determined the new management structure. We aim to achieve Sony Group’s further evolution and growth through bringing even greater success to the Game & Network Services Business.”

The man himself also added to the statement, saying “After 30 years, I have made the decision to retire from SIE in March 2024. I’ve relished the opportunity to have a job I love in a very special company, working with great people and incredible partners. But I’ve found it increasingly difficult to reconcile living in Europe and working in North America. I will leave having been privileged to work on products that have touched millions of lives across the world; PlayStation will always be part of my life, and I feel more optimistic than ever about the future of SIE. I want to thank Yoshida-san for placing so much trust in me and being an incredibly sensitive and supportive leader.”

Jim has been somewhat of a divisive figure in the PlayStation community. While he oversaw the launch of the PS5 and facilitated some of the company’s bigger acquisitions over the past few years, he’s also been the figurehead for PlayStation’s aggressive move into games as a service, which has left a sour taste in many players’ mouths.

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