After 30 years at Sony Interactive Entertainment, outgoing CEO Jim Ryan sat down with Variety for a retrospective interview detailing his favorite PlayStation titles across each console generation.
Set to be succeeded by current COO Hiroki Totoki on April 1st, 2023, Ryan took the opportunity to reminisce on his long tenure in the gaming industry.
For the PS5 era, Ryan singled out God of War Ragnarök as his top pick. He praised the epic combat and narrative while noting the game’s timely 2022 release finally aligned with increased PS5 production. This allowed more fans access to the system for Ragnarök’s launch after early supply shortages.
Ryan Details Standout Titles That Defined PlayStation
Looking back further, Ryan named Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune as his favorite PS3 title. He lauded developer Naughty Dog for advancing storytelling and emotion in games. Interestingly, he did not highlight The Last of Us instead, despite its widespread critical acclaim on PS3.
His PS2 choice went to the landmark Grand Theft Auto III, which he said had an enduring impact on PlayStation and gaming overall. Ryan’s PS1 pick was Ridge Racer for defining that era’s graphical standard.
Leadership Transition and Future Outlook for Sony Gaming
Beyond games, Ryan also discussed leadership challenges like guiding PlayStation through COVID-19. He called it the greatest test of his three decades at Sony. However, PlayStation has thrived under his oversight, with PS5 sales now exceeding 50 million units.
As Ryan passes the baton to Totoki, he offered advice to always keep entertaining consumers at the core of PlayStation’s business. While the outgoing CEO was vague on his future plans, he hinted at new ventures outside Sony and gaming. After an influential tenure, Ryan seems ready to shift directions. But the games he highlighted leave a defining legacy.
