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

Alright, folks, here’s a bit of insight for you. Shuhei Yoshida, the well-known former PlayStation executive, has assured everyone that, as far as he knows, none of the first-party studios under PlayStation have been compelled to develop live-service games. Instead, it seems these studios have decided to jump on the live-service bandwagon because they think it offers a better shot at getting their projects picked up and given the green light.

Yoshida, the soon-to-be voice behind a duck mascot, shared these thoughts during an interview with Sacred Symbols+, as reported by Push Square. It’s no surprise, really; it’s the kind of thing you’d expect from someone who’s been at the helm of a major company like PlayStation.

In his comments, Yoshida explained that studios recognize a big company initiative and see that aligning with it gives their projects a higher likelihood of approval and support. “Hermen Hulst, the current head of PlayStation Studios, isn’t ordering teams to make live-service games,” Yoshida said. “It’s probably more of a mutual understanding.”

While Yoshida technically isn’t wrong, his comments do veer into corporate speak. If studios are perceiving that supporting a particular trend is crucial to avoiding the dreary limbo reserved for studios with rejected pitches, that’s not exactly the healthiest corporate culture. It’s something executives may want to address.

Admittedly, it’s a bit idealistic, but wouldn’t it be great if major companies like PlayStation cultivated atmospheres where their top-tier studios felt trusted to propose games that align with their talents and market needs? Instead of everyone feeling the pressure to jump on a company-wide trend, especially in a challenging space like live-service gaming, which was already competitive even before PlayStation’s mostly unsuccessful efforts.

I have to say, though, it’s easy for me to comment from the sidelines. I haven’t spent decades steering one of the gaming industry’s powerhouses. And in fairness, Yoshida doesn’t seem to claim this situation is ideal; he’s just acknowledging its reality.

Regarding the live-service projects that PlayStation recently shelved, Yoshida remarked quite plainly: “Yeah, it sucks.”