Jim Ryan, the head of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and PlayStation, has announced his retirement in March 2024. Ryan has been with Sony for almost 30 years and became CEO of SIE in 2019. During his tenure, he oversaw the successful launch of the PlayStation 5, which has sold over 40 million units. Although Ryan did not indicate his next move in the gaming industry, his departure marks a significant change for Sony.
Ryan joined Sony in 1994, working for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. He held various positions within the company, including President of Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe and head of global sales and marketing. He became president of SIE in 2019, swapping roles with then-CEO John Kodera. Throughout his career, Ryan has played a crucial role in shaping Sony’s gaming division.
Following Ryan’s retirement, Sony President, COO, and CFO Hiroki Totoki will assume the role of Chairman of SIE in October 2023. Totoki will then become interim CEO on April 1, 2024. The company’s official release mentioned that Totoki will work closely with Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and SIE’s management to define the future of PlayStation and choose the next SIE CEO. While Ryan expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work on impactful products, he cited the difficulty of reconciling living in Europe and working in North America as a reason for his retirement.