Xbox boss speaks out on PlayStation losing Jim Ryan
And now, his watch is over. The great console wars of 2023 have taken an unexpected turn, as the Green and the Blues put down their swords and pay tribute to Sony's Jim Ryan. The PlayStation boss is stepping down as Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO in 2024, with his loss being undoubtedly felt across the industry.
Having joined the ranks of Sony in 1994 (just before the release of the PlayStation), Ryan stepped up as President of SIE Europe from 2011 to 2019. He was then promoted to Sony Interactive Entertainment President and CEO, ushering in the current generation of the PlayStation 5.
Phil Spencer pays tribute to Jim Ryan
Like House of the Dragon's Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen, Ryan and Xbox's Phil Spencer have shared an uneasy alliance. Butting heads over the Activision Blizzard acquisition was one thing, but by all accounts, the "war" between the pair has been hyped up by angry fanboys.
Following news of Ryan's imminent departure, Spencer shared his sombre thoughts on the PlayStation pioneer's work. Posting on Twitter, Spencer said, "Jim Ryan has been a great contributor to our industry and a fierce leader for PlayStation. I wish him the best in what he does next."
No matter whether you're a PlayStation or Xbox owner, there's no denying Ryan's contributions. Echoing the thoughts of many, Spencer concluded, "Thank you for all you've done for the community over the last 30 years, Jim."
Jim Ryan is retiring in 2024
The news of Ryan's potential retirement was broken by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, before being backed up by an official announcement from Sony. "After 30 years, I have made the decision to retire from SIE in March 2024," said Ryan.
"I've relished the opportunity to have a job I love in a very special company, working with great people and incredible partners. 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." Sony Group Corporation President, COO, and CFO Hiroki Totoki Hiroki will now serve as interim CEO.
Ryan had publically spoken out about Microsoft's "inadequate" offer to broker a deal over Call of Duty, and although Sony once claimed it couldn't survive without the CoDverse, tempers seem to have cooled more recently. Whatever bad blood there might've been between Spencer and Ryan, it seems there's a mutual respect.
