Shuhei Yoshida, the former president of Worldwide Studios for Sony Interactive Entertainment, recently shared insights into some of the most nerve-wracking moments he faced during his extensive career at PlayStation. In a candid conversation with MinnMax, Yoshida pinpointed two significant events from competitors that left him on edge.
The first moment of sheer anxiety came with the launch of the Xbox 360, which hit the market a year before the PlayStation 3. Yoshida admitted that this move was "very, very scary," as it meant gamers who opted to wait for Sony's next-gen console would find themselves significantly delayed in experiencing the latest in video game technology.
However, the moment that truly sent shockwaves through Yoshida's career was Nintendo's announcement that Monster Hunter 4 would be exclusively released on the Nintendo 3DS. Labeling it as "the biggest shock," Yoshida recalled the impact of this decision. Monster Hunter had previously been a massive success on the PlayStation Portable, boasting two exclusive titles. The unexpected move by Nintendo to secure Monster Hunter 4 for its own platform, coupled with a drastic $100 price cut on the 3DS, drastically shifted the competitive landscape. At the time, both the Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation Vita were priced at $250, making the price drop and the exclusive title a double blow for Sony.
"After launch, both Nintendo 3DS and Vita were $250 but they dropped $100," Yoshida recounted. "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, who retired from Sony in January after over three decades, has become a beloved figure within the PlayStation community. His departure from the company has enabled him to offer fresh perspectives on his past experiences, including these competitive shocks. Moreover, Yoshida has openly discussed his reservations about Sony's push towards live service games and shared his thoughts on the unlikelihood of a remake or sequel to the cult classic, Bloodborne.
