Dear PlayStation: Are You Okay?
3,647It sounds like PlayStation is having a massive pushback on the idea of making all their games live service titles or GAAS titles. This all kicked off when the internet realized that Connie Booth and anyone who worked with Connie Booth were let go according to anonymous sources speaking with David Jaffe. This all started with David Jaffe revealing that industry veteran Connie Booth left, but that story has since been corroborated by Sony themselves. Sony said, "We're thankful for Connie's numerous contributions to the company and wish her the best in future endeavors." This is notable because it wasn't just Connie, but Jaffe is saying it was also anyone who worked with Connie. Now that PlayStation news headlines have officially confirmed her departure after being there 26 years. Jaffe also reports that Connie will be replaced by Angie Smets, from the Horizon team. Smets is said to be liked by her colleagues. Smets will work with Sucker Punch, and Scott Rohde who worked with Insomniac will still be tackling Insomniac according to a post from Stephen Totilo. This departure comes shortly after Sony revealed that they would be laying off a portion of Media Molecule employees as the creation game Dreams begins shutting down and "significant strategic changes." are taking place. Keep in mind all this takes place shortly after Jim Ryan's official departure date which is the day this video is airing. And it should be noted that when Jim Ryan, President and CEO of PlayStation announced that he would be retiring in March 2024, CFO Totoki took over starting in October when this all kicked off.
April 2022 - Jim Ryan announces 10 live service games before March 2026
May 2023 - Last of Us Factions development paused
Sept 27th, 2023 - Jim Ryan announces "Retirement"
Oct 2023 - CFO Hiroki Totoki takes over
Oct 3rd, 2023 - Kotaku Reports Naughty Dog Layoffs, Last of Us Factions on Ice
Oct 24th - Media Molecule announces Restructuring
October 28th - Connie Booth & her colleagues depart
I've now heard from sources that indicate there could be some credence to the SEGA Wipeout rumors and the Bandai Namco partnership with PlayStation. Jaffe cites people within Sony, within PlayStation, and people who have spoken with Connie. Say the following
-Connie was fired with no notice. She was not let go.
-Shawn Layden was escorted out of the building.
-Jim Ryan was convinced that GAAS was the future. The studios were not happy about this. They were very unhappy, and when Naughty Dog was canceled that was "a bridge too far."
-All that got blamed on Connie.
-It sounds like most of the people who worked with Connie are gone.
-Hermen Hulst is not particularly liked by people internally as he was in favor of closing the Japan studios.
-Angie Smetz is great and will replace Connie. Smetz is from Gurella
-This all started when the GAAS topic was started.
-These games are made by people and the people are not happy.
That's just a compilation of my notes about this story. Let me know if I missed anything.
Sources: Jaffe Original - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZhWCnSd5dc&ab_channel=DavidJaffe
Jaffe Follow-Up - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vJ8WO7ovDE&ab_channel=DavidJaffe
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/connie-booth-exits-sony-after-34-years
https://kotaku.com/last-of-us-multiplayer-game-playstation-showcase-ps5-1850480567
https://kotaku.com/naughty-dog-ps5-playstation-sony-last-us-part-3-layoffs-1850893794
https://twitter.com/Naughty_Dog/status/1662166716892479488
https://www.eurogamer.net/jim-ryan-named-new-playstation-boss
https://www.eurogamer.net/playstation-plans-to-launch-more-than-10-live-service-games-before-march-2026
https://sonyinteractive.com/en/press-releases/2023/new-management-structure-of-sony-interactive-entertainment-2/
https://sonyinteractive.com/en/jim-ryan-president-and-ceo-announces-retirement-after-30-years-with-sony-interactive-entertainment/
https://twitter.com/mediamolecule/status/1716832003713274283?s=20
https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1717643376625938435
https://www.resetera.com/threads/sony-confirms-the-departure-of-long-time-head-of-internal-studios-connie-booth.778895/page-5#post-114062975
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