Sony names two executives as CEO of its Playstation unit

Sony has announced that two veteran executives will take over as CEOs of its powerhouse gaming unit, Playstation after Jim Ryan retired in March. Hermen Hulst will be CEO of the newly named Studio Business Group, which includes PlayStation's developers and covers the expansion of PlayStation brands into TV and film. Hideaki Nishino will lead the Platform Business Group, which includes console hardware, technology, and accessories. He will also be in charge of relations with major publishers and indie studios.

Both Hulst and Nishino will report to Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) group chairman Hiroki Totoki, who had been filling in as interim CEO, a statement said.

Jim Ryan joined SIE in 1994 and held a number of senior positions before heading the division from 2019 and is credited with putting the PlayStation 5 on track to become its most successful console yet. After its launch in 2020, production of the PlayStation 5 was initially hit by the global shortage of semiconductors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Ryan was also at the forefront of Sony's failed fight to prevent Microsoft's mammoth takeover of Activision Blizzard.

The PlayStation 5 is facing stiff competition from the Nintendo Switch and could see a tougher rivalry with Microsoft's Xbox, after the tech giant's buyout of "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard. The company in February also announced a round of layoffs.