Former PlayStation Executive Explains Studios’ Preference for Live-Service Games to Boost Project Approval Odds

Alright, folks, here’s something interesting: former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida recently shared some insights about the direction of first-party studios at PlayStation. According to him, none of these teams have been mandated to develop live-service games. Instead, it seems they’ve decided to join this “big initiative” on their own, perhaps because it might increase the likelihood of their projects gaining approval and backing.

Yoshida, who amusingly will soon lend his voice to a duck mascot, discussed this during an interview with Sacred Symbols+ (hat-tip to Push Square for the scoop). It’s the sort of statement you might expect from someone who’s helmed a major company like this one.

So, Yoshida explained that when studios recognize a company-wide push, they often think that hopping on board could enhance their chances of getting their projects greenlit. He noted, “It’s not like Hermen Hulst, the current PlayStation Studios boss, is directing teams to produce live-service games. It’s probably a shared perspective.”

While Yoshida’s comments sound valid, there’s a hint of corporate jargon here. The idea that studios feel compelled to align with executive enthusiasm to avoid being stuck in development limbo is a bit concerning. Ideally, execs should strive to offset such pressures.

Call me an optimist, but shouldn’t companies such as PlayStation aim to nurture environments where their premier studios feel confident pitching projects that align with their strengths? Rather than everyone jumping onto a company-driven trend, this approach could prevent overcrowding in an already challenging live-service market—a space where breaking through with a hit was, even before PlayStation’s recent foray, no simple feat.

Granted, I haven’t spent decades guiding a titan of the gaming industry. And to be fair, Yoshida doesn’t necessarily endorse this status quo, but rather notes its existence.

Reflecting on PlayStation’s recent cancellations of live-service projects, he candidly admitted, “Yeah, it sucks.”