Guerrilla Games boss is the new PlayStation head of worldwide studios

Sony does a little executive reshuffling after the departure of PlayStation Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden.

Guerrilla Games boss, Hermen Hulst has been named the new head of Worldwide Studios, effective immediately. The new appointment puts him in charge of 14 internal PlayStation development teams. Hulst oversaw the creation of great hits like Killzone and Horizon: Zero Dawn. Guerrilla Games also helped in the development of Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding.

Hulst said in a statement regarding his new appointment:

“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." 

“I am beyond excited to have the opportunity now to lead such an inspired and talented team whose singular mission is to build amazing games for PlayStation fans.”

Shuhei Yoshida will now also head a new indie initiative which will have him work with external developers. It will focus on creating  “new and unexpected experiences,” with Yoshida providing indies with the necessary technology and services required for the next generation of PlayStation indies.

Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO, Jim Ryan commented on Yoshida's new initiative:

“Everybody knows just how passionate Shu is about independent games – they are the lifeblood of the industry, making our content portfolio so special for our gamers. 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”.

These changes come in preparation for next year's big launch of the PlayStation 5. First-party and indie titles coming to the PlayStation platform are about to level up.