So long, Jim
Also, the latest news about FIFA titles disappearing, Epic layoffs and a Pokémon Van Gogh exhibit.
Our editor is on vacation this week, so it’s a light version of The Games Letter. We’ll be back to full strength next week. Until then, here are the top headlines of the week.
Jim Ryan is stepping down from PlayStation
Sony Interactive Entertainment President and CEO Jim Ryan announced he is retiring in March of 2024, after 30 years at the company. Ryan explains in his retirement announcement:
As you will have seen today in the news, I have announced my retirement after nearly 30 years at Sony Interactive Entertainment. I did not take this decision lightly and I absolutely love SIE and our community, but of late I’ve been finding it increasingly difficult to strike the right balance between having my home in the UK and my job in the United States.
Sony has not yet announced a successor to Ryan, who most recently spearheaded the successful PlayStation 5 launch and is responsible for multiple studio acquisitions during his tenure. Xbox Head Phil Spencer praised his counterpart in a recent tweet:
Jim Ryan has been a great contributor to our industry and a fierce leader for PlayStation. I wish him the best in what he does next. Thank you for all you’ve done for the community over the last 30 years, Jim.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) September 28, 2023
The news comes as Sony investigates a potential data breach and ransomware demand. More on this story as information becomes available.
Side quests (more stories worth reading)
Epic Games, maker of Fortnite, is cutting about 16 percent of its workforce, or about 830 jobs.
Looking for older versions of FIFA games on your favorite digital retailer? You won’t find them, as EA removed all FIFA games from digital storefronts.
SAG-AFTRA union members voted to authorize a strike for video game performers.
The President of Capcom says ‘game prices are too low.’
Counter Strike 2 released last week, replacing CS:GO.
Candy Crush Saga has earned over $20 billion in lifetime revenue.
The Meta Quest 3 launches on Oct. 10.
A collaboration between the Van Gogh Museum and the Pokémon Company turned out to be kinda a disaster.
Sega canceled its live-service shooter Hyenas before it launched.
Valve lost its appeal against an EU antitrust ruling.
Online computer component retailer Newegg now offers a trade-in program for GPUs.
New Releases this week:
10/5: Assassin's Creed Mirage (PlayStation, Xbox and PC)
10/6: Detective Pikachu Returns (Switch)
10/6: NHL 24 (PlayStation and Xbox)
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