Shawn Layden reveals why he left Sony: "Services were not my specialty"

Former PlayStation boss explains his departure and criticizes industry's focus on games as a service

When Shawn Layden announced his departure from Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2019, many fans and analysts were left wondering about the exact reasons behind the decision. Now, in a revealing interview with Destin Legarie, the former head of PlayStation Worldwide Studios finally explained what happened: Sony's focus on games as a service and subscriptions was not his cup of tea.

Layden's departure came at a crucial moment for the company. He had overseen the launch of several PlayStation 4 successes, helped shape the future of the PS5, and left several projects practically finished. But, according to him, the change in the company's strategy made him realize that it was time to leave.

"I make games like God of War and Uncharted. It wasn't my specialty"

The former Sony leader made it clear that his expertise had always been in producing great single-player experiences, such as:

God of War

The Last of Us

Uncharted

Horizon

Spider-Man

When asked about his departure, Layden explained that he noticed a shift in the company's direction, with a strong focus on games as a service, subscriptions, and live-service models, something he did not resonate with.

"I make things like God of War, Spider-Man, The Last of Us, Uncharted and Horizon. I didn't have the vision or energy to take Sony into this new era of live services. So, all things considered, I felt it was a good time to leave, after 32 years at the company."

He also mentioned that, at that time, he felt he had fulfilled his duty. Sony had already delivered incredible titles on the PS4, and games like Ghost of Tsushima were practically ready. He saw the arrival of the PS5 as a natural milestone for a new generation of leadership within the company.

"It was late 2019 and I was associated with the launch of, at least, five or six platforms for the company, including VR. We were approaching the PS5 launch and, to be honest, the company made some strategic changes that were not my specialty."

Is the industry saturated with games as a service?

Layden's departure raises an important point about the industry's direction. With Sony, Microsoft, and several publishers heavily investing in games as a service, the market seems increasingly saturated with titles trying to replicate the success of giants like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Destiny 2.

Layden himself has criticized the excessive growth of AAA budgets and warned of the risk of major studios abandoning single-player experiences that have always been the flagship of PlayStation Studios.

After leaving Sony, Layden began working as a consultant and investor, but his vision of the future of gaming remains critical and attentive. He believes that the industry needs to find a balance between service games and traditional experiences, something that many players still value.

What about you, do you think Sony is on the right path or do you miss the times of full focus on big single-player games?