The legendary Jim Ryan took over as CEO of Sony Interactive in 2019, after starting at Sony Europe in 1994.

Jim Ryan, head of PlayStation and CEO of Sony, is stepping down. Sony announced in a press release on Wednesday that Ryan will retire in March 2024. Sony Group Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer Hiroki Totoki will become interim CEO of Sony on April 1, 2024.

“After 30 years, I have made the decision to retire from SIE in March 2024. I’ve relished the opportunity to have a job I love in a very special company, working with great people and incredible partners,” Ryan says in a statement. “But I’ve found it increasingly difficult to reconcile living in Europe and working in North America. I will leave having been privileged to work on products that have touched millions of lives across the world; PlayStation will always be part of my life, and I feel more optimistic than ever about the future of SIE.”

Ryan has been with Sony for 28 years, starting his career in 1994 with the company’s European division, where he held several senior positions, including head of global sales and marketing.

Ryan succeeded John Kodera as president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2019.

During his tenure at Sony, Ryan has mainly overseen the launch of PlayStation 5. Due to supply chain constraints, the console was difficult to source during the outbreak. But shipments later picked up. In July, Sony announced that it had sold 40 million PS5s.

Ryan was a constant in the battle between Microsoft and the FTC. This was over plans to buy game publishing giant Activision Blizzard. Earlier this year, Ryan’s comments surfaced that the acquisition was not about console exclusivity. This contradicts claims made publicly by Sony. According to the latter, the deal could negatively affect Activision Blizzard games on PlayStation consoles.

Totoki will become president of Sony Interactive Entertainment in October 2023, before Ryan’s departure. Following his appointment as interim CEO, Sony said Totoki “will work closely with Sony Group Corporation Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida and the management team of SIE to help define the next chapter of PlayStation’s future, including the succession of the SIE CEO role.”

Source: Sony

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan is retiring. He leaves in March 2024. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Hiroki Totoki

— Christopher Dring (@Chris_Dring) September 27, 2023