Sony Interactive Entertainment Names Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino as CEOs
Hulst to Lead Studio Business Group
Hermen Hulst, co-founder of Guerrilla Games and former head of PlayStation Studios, has been appointed as the CEO of the newly named Studio Business Group at Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE). Hulst, whose company was acquired by Sony in 2005, will oversee all of PlayStation’s first-party teams and drive the development of PlayStation IP across various mediums including television and film.
Hulst expressed enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “I am thrilled to lead the studio business group and continue to build on our success with PlayStation 5, while preparing for the future. The video game industry is one of the largest entertainment industries in the world, and I look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of play and entertainment.”
Nishino to Lead Platform Business Group
Hideaki Nishino, previously the Senior Vice President of Platform Experiences at SIE, has been appointed as the CEO of the Platform Business Group. In his new role, Nishino will oversee console hardware, technology, accessories, PlayStation Network, and third-party relations involving major publishers and indie studios.
Commenting on his appointment, Nishino said, “We will continue to connect players and creators through world-class products, services, and technology. We always strive to grow our community even bigger with innovation in every area at Sony Interactive Entertainment.”
Promoting Existing Talent within Sony
Sony’s decision to appoint both Hulst and Nishino as new CEOs highlights the company’s ethos of promoting talent from within its ranks. The move also reflects the booming scale and size of Sony Interactive Entertainment, which aims to ensure sustainable growth through its new leadership structure.
Reporting to Hiroki Totoki
Both Hulst and Nishino will report to Hiroki Totoki, the Chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment and the acting CEO of the division. Totoki, who also serves as the President, COO, and CFO of Sony Group Corporation, described the appointments as instrumental in deepening engagement with existing PlayStation users and expanding experiences to new audiences.
Continued Expansion and Growth
PlayStation’s Studios business has witnessed tremendous growth over the past decade, both in terms of headcount and the scale of its brands. The company’s recent strategy includes porting its titles to the PC, venturing into TV and movie adaptations of its IP, and exploring live-service game development. Notably, these efforts led to the acquisition of renowned developer Bungie in 2022. However, due to increasing costs, recent game cancellations, staff redundancies, and the closure of the London Studio, Sony aims to establish sustainable growth through its new leadership structure.
Effective from June 1st
The transition of leadership will take effect on June 1st, marking a new chapter in Sony Interactive Entertainment’s history. With Hulst and Nishino at the helm, the company’s priority will be to continue delivering unparalleled entertainment experiences, delivering innovation, and expanding the PlayStation community worldwide.
