Shuhei Yoshida, the former president of Worldwide Studios at Sony Interactive Entertainment, has disclosed that two of the most alarming moments in his extensive career at PlayStation were orchestrated by Nintendo and Xbox. In a candid conversation with MinnMax, Yoshida revealed that the launch of the Xbox 360 a year before the PlayStation 3 sent shockwaves through the industry. This early release meant that those waiting for Sony's console would be significantly delayed in experiencing the next generation of gaming.
However, it was Nintendo's announcement that truly caught Yoshida off guard. The revelation that Monster Hunter 4 would be exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS was described by Yoshida as "the biggest shock" he had ever experienced from a competitor's announcement. Monster Hunter had previously been a massive success on the PlayStation Portable, boasting two exclusive titles. The unexpected move to the 3DS, coupled with a drastic $100 price cut for the handheld, left Yoshida reeling. "After launch, both Nintendo 3DS and Vita were $250 but they dropped $100," he recounted. "I was like, 'Oh my god'. And [then they] announced the biggest game... The biggest game on PSP was Monster Hunter. And that game is going to come out on Nintendo 3DS exclusively. I was like, 'Oh no.' That was the biggest shock."
Yoshida retired from Sony in January after over three decades with the company, where he became synonymous with the PlayStation brand and earned a global following among fans. His departure has allowed him to share previously untold stories and insights, such as these pivotal moments in gaming history. Yoshida has also expressed his reservations about Sony's focus on live service games and shared his thoughts on why a remake or sequel to the cult classic Bloodborne might not be in the cards.
