Following the departure of former Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan, the company announced that Hideaki Nishino will be appointed CEO of the Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Platform Business Group, and Hermen Hulst will be appointed to CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Studio Business Group, effective June 1, 2024. Hiroki Totoki, who is currently serving as interim CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, will serve as chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment in addition to his role as president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer of Sony Group Corporation. Nishino and Hulst will report to Totoki, and intend to collaborate closely to strengthen each core business while maximizing synergies at Sony Interactive Entertainment.
“Sony Interactive Entertainment is a dynamic and growing business that delivers incredible entertainment experiences through the connection of content and technology,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment interim CEO and Sony Group Corporation president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer Hiroki Totoki in a press release. “These two leaders will have clear responsibilities and will manage strategic direction to ensure the focus remains on deepening engagement with existing PlayStation users and expanding experiences to new audiences.”
Read more about each executive below.
Hidaeki Nishino
Nishino is currently senior vice president, Platform Experience Group, and leads the team responsible for developing the experiences and technology within PlayStation products and services. The Platform Experience Group pushes the boundaries of play in many ways, including the innovations in PlayStation 5, the immersiveness of PlayStation VR2, and connecting millions of people on PlayStation Network. In his new capacity as CEO of the Platform Business Group, Nishino will continue to be responsible for technology, products, services, and platform experience. He will also oversee third-party publisher and developer relations and commercial operations, including sales and marketing of hardware, services, and peripherals.
“We will continue to connect players and creators through world-class products, services, and technology,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment senior vice president, Platform Experience Group, Hideaki Nishino. “We always strive to grow our community even bigger with innovation in every area at Sony Interactive Entertainment. I am honored to be appointed such an important role alongside Hermen. By working more closely together, we will be positioned to build incredible experiences for an ever-expanding audience now and in the future.”
Hermen Hulst
Hulst is currently serving as senior vice president and head of PlayStation Studios, and responsible for developing content across many devices including PlayStation consoles and PCs and bringing video game intellectual property to new mediums such as film and television through PlayStation Productions. The PlayStation Productions team is working on several game adaptations and developed the Emmy award winning television series, The Last of Us, an adaptation from an award winning game. In his new role as CEO of the Studio Business Group, Hulst will be responsible for the development, publishing, and business operations of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s first party-content.
“I am thrilled to lead the studio business group and continue to build on our success with PlayStation 5, while preparing for the future,” said PlayStation Studios senior vice president and head Hermen Hulst. “The video game industry is one of the largest entertainment industries in the world and has been built on the marriage of content and technology, and I look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of play and entertainment.”
And here is a message from Hiroki Totoki sent to Sony Interactive Entertainment employees today:
A Message from Hiroki Totoki: A New Era at Sony Interactive Entertainment
It brings me great pleasure to announce that I have decided on the succession strategy for the role of CEO at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Over the last decade, Sony Interactive Entertainment has grown tremendously, building upon our continuous successes in hardware, software and services through a sharper focus on player engagement.
To continue this growth and momentum, we are moving forward with a new management structure for Sony Interactive Entertainment. Effective June 1, Hideaki Nishino will be appointed CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Platform Business Group, and Hermen Hulst will be appointed CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Studio Business Group. Effective the same date, I will step down from my current role as interim CEO and become Chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment, in addition to my roles at Sony Group Corporation. Both Hermen and Nishino-san will report to me as Sony Interactive Entertainment Chairman.
Nishino-san will continue his role leading the Platform Experience Group, overseeing technology, products, services, and platform experience. He will also oversee third party publisher and developer relations and commercial operations, including sales and marketing of hardware, services, and peripherals.
Hermen will continue to lead the Sony Interactive Entertainment Studios business, including PlayStation Studios, Bungie, and PlayStation Productions. He will be responsible for the development, publishing, and business operations of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s first party content as well as intellectual property expansion opportunities through PlayStation Productions.
Later this month you will learn more about the long-term vision for Sony Group and the essential role Sony Interactive Entertainment plays in that vision. As I mentioned previously, fiscal year 24 marks the start of the Mid-Range Plan period for Sony Group in which we will set the course for sustainable growth.
The future is incredibly bright for Sony Interactive Entertainment and that is thanks to all of you. Since I became Chairman in October 2023, I have been inspired by your enthusiasm, innovative approaches, and teamwork. These values will serve us well as we embark on the exciting future for Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Please join me in congratulating Nishino-san and Hermen on their new roles.