In a recent interview celebrating PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, Sony’s PlayStation division CEOs Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino shared insights into the company’s latest achievements, including the remarkable success of PlayStation Portal and the positive reception of Astro Bot.
PlayStation Portal
Nishino highlighted the success of PlayStation Portal, a hybrid device that combines a controller with a screen for cloud gaming. According to Nishino, the product has been “a huge success” and marks a significant shift in how players interact with PlayStation’s gaming ecosystem. He noted that the company had recently launched a beta program enabling cloud streaming directly to laptops, reflecting PlayStation’s commitment to exploring new ways for players to experience games. “We’re always exploring various options for how players can play games,” Nishino added.
Astro Bot
On the topic of game releases, Hulst expressed his immense satisfaction with the reception of Astro Bot, a PS5-exclusive platformer developed by Team Asobi. “I cannot express how happy we are with the reception of Astro Bot,” said Hulst, emphasizing how the title had resonated with both critics and players alike.
AI in Gaming
Both CEOs also discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in video games. While Hulst acknowledged that AI has the potential to revolutionize gaming, he was careful to emphasize that it would never replace the “human touch” that is vital to game development. He suggested a future where AI-driven experiences coexist with thoughtfully crafted, human-made content. “I suspect there will be a dual demand in gaming: one for AI-driven innovative experiences and another for handcrafted, thoughtful content,” he said.
Finally, Hulst and Nishino reflected on the unique structure of PlayStation’s leadership, where two CEOs share responsibilities: Hulst oversees software development while Nishino focuses on hardware. Nishino noted that this division allows them to concentrate on their respective areas of expertise, ultimately enabling the team to deliver the best possible experiences for PlayStation fans. “We can achieve greater focus in our respective areas and then come together to develop the best experiences for the PlayStation community,” he said.
