Sony Interactive Entertainment moves to a single-CEO structure, naming Hideaki Nishino as the sole CEO while Hermen Hulst will focus on leading first-party studios, following recent strategic challenges.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has announced a major organizational change: the consolidation of its leadership. It is going back on the dual-CEO model, which was less than a year old. Effective April 1, 2025, Hideaki Nishino will be the sole President and CEO of SIE, while Hermen Hulst will continue to lead PlayStation’s first-party studios as CEO of the Studio Business Group.
Background of the Dual-CEO Model
After the departure of former CEO Jim Ryan in May 2024, SIE implemented a dual-CEO structure by appointing Nishino and Hulst to share leadership responsibilities. This would help to pool their combined expertise: Nishino overseeing hardware, accessories, the PlayStation Network, and third-party relations, while Hulst focused on first-party game development and internal initiatives.
Challenges Leading to the Reversion
Despite the promising start, the dual-CEO model did not work well. The live-service game efforts by the company had a bumpy ride; one of them, “The Last of Us Online,” was scrapped, and another, “Concord,” underperformed, forcing the company to restructure internally and to reassess strategically. Such episodes were challenging moments in dealing with a bifurcated leadership structure in periods of strategic adjustment.
Strategic Rebalancing and Prospects
By centralizing all leadership under Nishino, SIE will aim to centralize decision-making and increase strategic harmony. Nishino is quoted as saying that technology and creativity are powerful tools that will be used to create experiences that resonate with the community of PlayStation. Hulst, now relinquishing her role as co-CEO, would remain associated with the growth of unique titles for the PlayStation 5, with the lead focus on what makes the company strong in first-party game development.
This leadership restructuring reflects SIE’s adaptability in navigating the evolving gaming landscape, emphasizing a return to a more centralized leadership model to effectively address current challenges and position the company for future success.
