They get turned into superheroes in GIFs and some even idolise them, but it’s important to remember that gaming executives are exactly that: gaming executives. They’re hired to make difficult (and, honestly, often boring) business decisions – not act like rock stars. And in a wide-ranging interview with Polygon, current PlayStation America boss Shawn Layden has admitted that industry fame isn’t necessarily what he’s about.
“It's not something I enjoy particularly,” he said of the recognition his new position brings. “I don't try to think about it. But, the fame. I don't know what that means. I think there's a certain responsibility that goes with it and I'm very judicious about what I write on my Twitter feed. I think there's a certain expectation that I should be fair-minded and open and try to be as accessible as I can to the fans who come to PlayStation for a host of their own reasons.”
While Layden’s not necessarily a fan of the fame, he does believe that his new-found status can help him to make a difference among the community: “We want to open up that diversity which is so important in gaming to get more people involved with gaming, get more people to enjoy it, and if, because I can be recognised, I can have some credibility in speaking to those sorts of issues, I'm happy for that.”
The interview’s a great one: Layden is a veteran at Sony, having previously reported directly to the CEO of the company during its period of world conquering dominance in the early 90s. He’s worked all over the world, bringing Japanese titles to Europe from the company’s base in London, and was more recently involved in the restructuring of PlayStation Japan. It’s well worth a read if you get the time – there’s some great inside baseball.
[source polygon.com]
Comments 18
I like layden he is a cool guy.I do miss Jack tretton a lot also.he was super cool.the best ever.
I love him. He likes my tweets sometimes. It's cool.
I feel the PlayStation and Nintendo execs are a lot, lot more discreet than... The people in charge of a certain other platform holder.
But, on the PlayStation side especially, I still feel like they're approachable and in touch with the fans.
@get2sammyb Shuhei Yoshida's a great example of that. I guess a lot of it is about having a real passion for what you do.
Shawn Layden has really grown into the role of hosting the conferences. His heartfelt speech to the victims of Orlando at E3 last year I think endeared him to quite a number of people.
@get2sammyb I really don't think Phil Spencer is indiscreet at all and if anything, a lot more fair and unbias. He often comes under flak from Xbox fanboys for saying he is looking forward to playing PS exclusives like Uncharted, Horizon:ZD etc and recognises these as some of the greatest games released in recent years.
You also have to remember that cultural differences play a part. The British and Japanese are much more introverted on social media - although that appears to be changing...
@BAMozzy Have you not ever considered why he's so public with his comments on the competition? Could it be perhaps so that people subsequently trot on gaming websites and talk about how "fair and unbiased" he is? Mayhaps?
To be honest I was more thinking about Aaron Greenberg anyway, who I'm sure is a lovely guy but is an embarrassment at a corporate level.
@get2sammyb Maybe, But then he is the same in interviews too. I get the impression at times he is almost afraid to say he is currently playing or looking forward to a Playstation exclusive and then has to 'justify' or validate it. He has been open about his admiration for Naughty Dog and there talent - but then any gamers should too.
Its like Wenger saying he is a big admirer of Harry Kane and then coming under fire from the Arsenal fans for liking their rivals biggest talent but as a football fan first and foremost, you want to watch the best players.
I get the impression Phil Spencer is a gamer first and foremost with a PS4 Pro, Switch and Scorpio and enjoys gaming on all - just happens to work for MS.
I don't follow Aaron Greenberg myself so don't know why you feel that way. Larry 'Major Nelson' Hyrb though does irritate me...
Like I said though, it could be cultural too. British and Japanese people generally don't seek the limelight and fame like Americans do. I know that's a bit of a generalisation and there are exceptions to every rule but if you had to characterise people from each of these nations... LOL not saying more and not wanting to offend anyone either....
@BAMozzy I'm American.
Give me ten likes and I'll... I'll have ten likes?
Only exec at any of these companies I can somewhat tolerate is Yoshida. Layden and Spencer are about as big frauds as there is but Spencer has become the most obnoxious with his constant praise of the competition to score PR points.
That's why I don't follow anybody like this (or anyone for that matter) and I don't watch E3 etc or streamer's, I prefer to read about them and watch the bit's i'm interested in. I hate, no I despise the undiserved celebrity "superstar" kind of status people like this get and all the bs they spout when they're on stage. I used to spend easy 90% of the time watching E3 thinking get on with it skip the bs and show some game's. It's more of a bloody circus these day's, next these tool's will be in the Big Brother house.
The PS Execs seem to be a lot more humble and transparent after the PS3 early struggles. They realized games are #1 not apps, cable like XB. They changed their whole tactical approach to be have more fan interactions openness and the strategy paid off big time. Everyone was like oh consoles are dead, boom Sony changed for the better boom a bazillion sold big lead whole company out of the crapper financially unlike their tv division. They learned the correct price point $399 not $598, said forget the camera, give more games appeal to the hardcore fan base and newcomers. Make it fast easy to use.
@Gamer83 I really don't feel Spencer is like that, not in the interviews I have watched. In some it appears that mentioning a PS exclusive he is looking forward too comes out by mistake, that he shouldn't mention that because of his position at MS and then has to justify it.
I would rather see people at least acknowledge where their competition has its greatest strengths. Its only by understanding what these have achieved and what makes these 'strengths' that companies can improve their services. Its not like Sony hasn't incorporated many of MS's strengths or business models with their consoles either. Not necessarily all the 'best' ones from a consumer perspective (like paying for online gaming) but its certainly had a big impact on their business. A number of features that PS consoles have, MS had first and not saying MS didn't pick up some of those ideas from its competition either like the Dreamcast yet the Xbox was the First with a built in HDD - something we now expect. When you look at some of the most requested features that people want added to Playstation, most (if not all) are features found on Xbox - take gamertag name changes as an example...
I have more respect for people who are able to recognise anothers strengths, not pretend that they don't exist or worse, publicly criticise, mock or look for 'fanboy' appreciation.
Phil Spencer always looks a bit shifty to me, maybe the reputation of his employers proceeds him, who knows. He talks like he means well but then his company like to have digs at the competition for fanboy brownie points. Recent example was their game pass launch, insisting that the games aren't streamed or anything, cleary a dig at PS Now. Plus his recent comments about single player games don't last as long as multiplayer games despite Horizon and Zelda's recent success suggests that he's not as in touch as some think he his. Just because he talks to some people on social media doesn't mean he's actually listening.
Plus when he smiles he has a look of someone is holding a small turd under his nose.
Phil Spencer has been one of the biggest critics of Sony using third party deals, especially recently. The guy who's company spent all of last-gen signing huge marketing deals to help the 360 gain a strong foothold and the guy who signed up Rise of the Tomb Raider as a timed-exclusive, b*tching about Sony doing it. Tells me all I need to know about him. He's not only fake, he's a hypocrite, but people kiss his ass anyway. Kind of sickening actually.
@Constable_What
okay, here is nr 8.
@KitsuneNight I'm so close to being a famous American like Phil Spencer or Kathy Griffin!
@Constable_What
You wil be getting even moar likes !
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