14 DAY TRIAL // After 32 years with Sony, it looks like Shawn Layden will be leaving the company, the Japanese giant confirmed in a short message on Twitter. The announcement comes as a total surprise, as neither the company nor Layden said anything about a possible breakup.
Shawe Layden who was until recently, chairman of PlayStation Worldwide Studios is leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment after more than three decades with the company. Formerly president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America until 2018, Layden served in roles like VP of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and president of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan.
Layden's LinkedIn profile and Twitter account don't mention anything about his departure from Sony, so it's unclear what's next for Sony's veteran. We don't even know why he's leaving and Sony won't comment any further.
The only information we have comes from PlayStation's Twitter handle, which doesn't say anything about the reasons for his departure:
“It is with great emotion that we announce that Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden will be departing SIE. His visionary leadership will be greatly missed. We wish him success in future endeavors and are deeply grateful for his years of service. Thanks for everything, Shawn!”
Shawn Layden is just one of the many high-profile execs that have left Sony in the last few years. The most recent departure is that of Andrew House, another Sony veteran who left the company back in 2017.
Adam Boyes, the man in charge of relations with third-party companies also left in 2016, while John Drake, who led business development for PlayStation VR, left the Japanese company earlier this year.
It's unclear who will take on Layden's role after his departure, but one possible replacement is Jim Ryan, who is president and CEO of SIE since February. We'll most likely learn more about the leadership changes at Sony in the coming days, so stick around for more on the matter.