Guerrilla Games’ Hermen Hulst Becomes Head of PlayStation Worldwide Studios

Managing Director and co-founder of Guerrilla Games, Hermen Hulst is taking the helm as head of PlayStation Worldwide Studios. Current president, Shuhei Yoshida, is also stepping down from his current role to look after smaller, independent studios.

Guerrilla Games' Herman Hulst Becomes Head of PlayStation Worldwide Studios

The news comes as part of Sony’s restructuring before the next console generation kicks off with the PS5, along with the unexpected departure Worldwide Studios Chairman, Shawn Layden, a month prior.

With an immediate start, Hulst will be overseeing Sony’s 14 internal gaming studios. Co-founding Amsterdam-based developer, Guerrilla Games and recently leading as managing director, Hulst has been a part of the creation of hit titles like the Killzone series and Horizon: Zero Dawn; the latter of which was released to massive critical praise and sales. Recently, he even lead 70 Guerrilla developers in assisting Hideo Kojiama’s Kojima Productions in getting Death Stranding out the door. 

With Hulst taking on his new role, the vacant position of studio head at Guerrilla will be filled in a joint effort by Jan-Bart van Beek (studio art director), Michiel van der Leeuw (technical director) and Angue Smets (executive producer).

PlayStation CEO and president, Jim Ryan, shared what he expects Hulst will bring to PlayStation WWS going forward: 

“Hermen is a European who will be taking one of the major offices at PlayStation,” he said. “I think everybody in Europe should be thrilled and happy and proud that that is happening.”

“Hermen is one of the most effective and well-respected leaders in the video game industry. He is a passionate advocate for the teams he leads and understands how to empower creative talent to build great experiences. I have no doubt Hermen can lead our teams to deliver compelling and diverse experiences at a steady cadence.”

After accepting the role, Hulst was quick to share his love for the PlayStation family:

“I have worked closely with PlayStation and the entire Worldwide Studios family since 2001,and I have the utmost respect and admiration for the creative talent and ambitious ideas within the network of studios across the US, Europe, and Japan.”

Shuhei Yoshida

Shuhei Yoshida

Beloved by all across the internet, current president of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, who has been serving in the role since 2008, is taking on a different role in leading a new company initiative. Yoshida will be focusing, working with and celebrating the many small and independent developers in the community. He’ll be making sure they have the tools, technology and services they need to make their games the best they can be. 

Regarding Yoshida, Jim Ryan added:

Everybody knows just how passionate Shu is about independent games — they are lifeblood of the industry, making our content portfolio so special for our gamers,” Ryan said. “These wildly creative experiences deserve focus, and a champion like Shu at PlayStation who will ensure the entire SIE organization works together to better engage with independent developers through a culture of supporting and celebrating their contributions to PlayStation platforms.

The PS5 will be launching at the end of 2020. For the latest and greatest additions of PlayStation updates and other gaming news, you can find it right at KeenGamer.

 

 

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