SIE appoints Guerrilla Games’ Hermen Hulst as head of Worldwide Studios
Hermen Hulst, co-founder and managing director of Guerrilla Games, is now head of Sony’s Worldwide Studios, Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced.
“Hermen is one of the most effective and well-respected leaders in the video game industry. He is a passionate advocate for the teams he leads and understands how to empower creative talent to build great experiences,” Jim Ryan, President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, said. “Worldwide Studios is a critical part of the future success of the company, and we must deliver on the promise we have made to gamers to create imaginative and exciting content that is truly unique to PlayStation. I have no doubt Hermen can lead our teams to deliver compelling and diverse experiences at a steady cadence.”
“I have worked closely with PlayStation and the entire Worldwide Studios family since 2001, and I have the utmost respect and admiration for the creative talent and ambitious ideas within the network of studios across the US, Europe, and Japan,” Hulst added. “I am beyond excited to have the opportunity now to lead such an inspired and talented team whose singular mission is to build amazing games for PlayStation fans.”
As for former president of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida, he is stepping down to become head of a “newly formed initiative that will focus on nurturing external independent creators.” In his new role, Yoshida will report directly to Jim Ryan and ensure that Sony’s community of independent developers “have the tools, technology, and services to reach PlayStation’s large community of gamers successfully.”
“I am thrilled to announce Shu Yoshida as head of this new initiative. Everybody knows just how passionate Shu is about independent games – they are lifeblood of the industry, making our content portfolio so special for our gamers,” Ryan said. “These wildly creative experiences deserve focus and a champion like Shu at PlayStation who will ensure the entire SIE organization works together to better engage with independent developers through a culture of supporting and celebrating their contributions to PlayStation platforms.”
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