Jim Ryan reveals what was his biggest challenge as PlayStation boss

Departure Jim Ryan as President and CEO Sony Interactive Entertainment (Game console) This was news that shocked the video game industry. After 30 years at the Japanese corporation, the executive announced his retirement at the end of September last year. The decision, which will come into force starting in March next year.

Taking advantage of the last stretch of his management, the manager spoke to Diversity about his three-decade journey in the company. When asked what his biggest challenge as head of PlayStation was, the Briton didn’t hesitate: PS5 launch in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Jim Ryan explained, the coronavirus health emergency presented a number of obstacles and challenges that at first glance seemed impossible to overcome or solve. PlayStation’s most prominent face admitted that despite the critical moment, he had to show his employees – and everyone else associated with SIE – that he had what it took to lead them to new success. It wasn’t easy though.

“My job was to project a sense of calm and serenity. [Pero] Actually, it was there on my dining room table, holding my head in my hands and wondering how we’re going to do this” admitted Jim Ryan.

Releasing PS5 in the middle of a pandemic is Jim Ryan’s biggest challenge yet

Recall that the characteristics of the PS5 were announced in March 2020, when many countries They just entered the prison due to rising Covid-19 cases. And the console appeared on the market in November of the same year, although for a long time it was almost impossible to get it. Added to the very high demand for the device during the pandemic was a shortage of chips, as well as problems with resellers.

But the launch of PlayStation 5 in a difficult context This gave Jim Ryan more than just a headache.. Not only due to inconveniences on the production line, but also due to delays in the development of new games and the impact of the coronavirus on distribution and sales channels.

“We assembled the vast majority of PlayStations in China, and no one could get there. [al país]. Another problem was the completion of games, when developers could not get together, eat pizza and brainstorm their projects. And then the important mission of selling our product to consumers when retail was completely closed,” explained Jim Ryan.

Despite the setbacks, the global launch of the PS5 took place before the 2020 holidays, as Sony had planned. True, in some countries this happened with delays, but the main goal was achieved. Job almost pharaonic and so Jim Ryan was very proud of what was accomplished by all involved.

With his upcoming departure from PlayStation, Jim Ryan already has a temporary replacement in place. Near Hiroki Totoki, current head of finance and operations at Sony Interactive Entertainment. In any case, the company is looking for a leader who will finally take over the reins left by the Briton.

PlayStation’s new interim CEO has some major challenges ahead of him. Despite the success of PS5, Sony has cut its device sales forecast for the current fiscal year. This had a strong impact on the company’s valuation, which dropped by $10 billion in less than a week. It is expected that in the second half of the year the Japanese will try to increase interest in their console with the help of PS5 Pro.