In a recent discussion with Kinda Funny Games, Shuhei Yoshida, known for his long tenure at PlayStation, expressed his views on Sony’s approach to developing live service games, stating:

“I’m sure they knew it’s risky.”

He emphasized that while the company had successes like Helldivers 2, the risk of developing live service games is substantial. According to him, transitioning resources from well-received single-player games to these multiplayer models could lead to significant challenges. Yoshida indicated that corporate decisions to bolster live service development involved allocating more resources but were not about abandoning successful single-player initiatives.

Reflecting on his understanding of the industry, Yoshida commented,

“You can’t plan a success in this industry. That’s the most fun part.”
Translation: “Success in this industry cannot be predetermined; that’s what makes it exciting.”

Despite acknowledging the unpredictability of game success, he hopes some projects prove successful in this challenging arena. His remarks come as Sony navigates the complexities of evolving within a highly competitive gaming market.