About this episode
PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan -- sometimes known on this show as Cryin' Jim for whatever reason -- is officially retiring from Sony next spring. Why? The demand of incessant travel, which is wearing him awfully thin after all these years (he's expected to be on three continents each and every month, an absurdity). He's been with the company since before the original PlayStation launched in '94, and his business and marketing acumen saw him rise the ranks of Sony's gaming outfit, first in Europe and then globally. A far cry in presentation from other notable personalities from within his ranks like Jack Tretton, Shuhei Yoshida, or even Shawn Layden, Ryan's more austere approach was undeniably sterile. But the results of his tenure also speak for themselves. He leaves PlayStation in an even more dominant position than he found it when he ascended to the CEO position in 2019 -- PS5's success throughout the pandemic in particular is already the stuff of industry legend -- and naturally, we have a lot to say about what the future holds following his exit. Plus: News about the recent Sony hack, Helldivers II's price, layoffs at Epic and SEGA, Far Cry 7 details, Capcom's stance on game pricing, trouble in the world of collectibles, and much more. Then: Listener inquiries. Is reaction fodder the lowest form of content imaginable? How do we feel about product placement in games? Will review bombing ever be mitigated? When can we expect Chris to join OnlyFans (and for how much)? This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbols and get on your way to being your best self Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices