PlayStation has launched a new initiative under its umbrella to promote the growth of independent games. The initiative will be lead by PlayStation vet Shuhei Yoshida.
The initiative will focus on finding and promoting independent developers around the world. These games will be more experimental and outside the norm.
In addition to promotion, PlayStation will provide its services and technology to developers. Yoshida will step down from his role as head of Sony Worldwide Studios and will be replaced by Guerrilla Games’ Hermen Hulst.
Independent Games Initiative Will Support Indie Developers
This is a definite change given PlayStation’s relationship to the independent games space. Earlier in the PlayStation 4’s life, the console’s library had a steady flow of stellar independent games to make up for the lack of larger games.
Recently though, PlayStation has shifted to promoting larger AAA games like God of War or The Last of Us. Many felt PlayStation had shifted their back on independent developers with creative ideas to more bankable blockbuster games.
Yoshida will report to PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan, who hopes that this new independent games initiative will shine a light on new experiences and bring greater support to independent developers.
Ryan also went into greater detail on PlayStation’s relationship with indies. While others feel that PlayStation has shifted away from indies, Ryan says that they have kept up their relationship through the promotion of independent games on PSVR.
Who is Shuhei Yoshida?
Shuhei Yoshida has many years under his belt working in games, with over 20 years of experience. He was also an executive producer on many classic PlayStation franchises, including Ape Escape and Gran Turismo.
Yoshida was one of the central figureheads of the PlayStation 4 launch, due to kindness in interacting with fans online. Not only that, but his personality and humor made Yoshida stand out compared to other central gaming figures at the time.
To learn more about the new independent games initiative and Hermen Hulst’s promotion go to www.sie.com
