Shuhei Yoshida, former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment's Worldwide Studios, recently shared two career-defining moments of intense pressure, both courtesy of Nintendo and Xbox.
Speaking with MinnMax, Yoshida described the Xbox 360's one-year head start on the PlayStation 3 as "very, very scary." The potential loss of early adopters to the next-generation gaming experience posed a significant threat.
However, Yoshida pinpointed Nintendo's announcement of Monster Hunter 4 as a 3DS exclusive as the "biggest shock" of his career. This was particularly jarring given the franchise's immense success on the PlayStation Portable, where it boasted two exclusive titles. The surprise was compounded by Nintendo's simultaneous $100 price drop on the 3DS, undercutting the PlayStation Vita.
Yoshida's retirement in January, after over three decades with Sony, has opened the door for him to share these previously undisclosed insights into the competitive landscape of the gaming industry. He has also voiced opinions on Sony's live service strategy and the lack of a Bloodborne remake or sequel.
