Kinda Funny Gamescast: Shuhei Yoshida's First Interview After PlayStation

Release Date: January 16, 2025

In this landmark episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, hosts Greg Miller and fellow panelists engage in an in-depth conversation with Shuhei Yoshida, marking his first interview following his departure from PlayStation after an illustrious 31-year tenure. The episode delves into Shuhei's reflections on his time at PlayStation, his transition to the indie gaming scene, insights into the gaming industry's evolution, and his perspectives on major competitors like Xbox. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and notable quotes from the episode.

1. Introduction and Shuhei’s Departure

Greg Miller kicks off the discussion with a warm welcome to Shuhei, who humorously remarks on his newfound "unemployment." The conversation quickly shifts to Shuhei’s feelings post-PlayStation:

• Greg (00:55): "Do you feel like a giant weight has been lifted? I mean, 31 years at PlayStation now you don't have a job."

• Shuhei (01:05): "I was so relaxed, I felt and enjoying the work life. However, the last couple of months... I was putting a lot of pressure on myself."

Shuhei reflects on the immense pressure he felt, especially after making notable announcements, and how public perceptions of his demeanor changed post-departure.

2. Shuhei’s Voice Acting in "Promise Mascot Agency"

A surprising development post-PlayStation is Shuhei's foray into voice acting:

• Greg (02:52): "Today you go and tweet, you're not unemployed, you're a voice actor..."

• Shuhei (03:14): "They timed it out very well... This was my first ever, really, serious voice acting."

Shuhei narrates his unexpected role as a voice actor in the indie game "Promise Mascot Agency", highlighting the challenges and joys of this new venture.

3. Reflections on PlayStation Tenure

a. Notable Games and Successes

Shuhei reminisces about pivotal projects during his time at PlayStation:

• Gran Turismo: A significant milestone that exceeded expectations.

  • Shuhei (19:06): "Gran Turismo was the first, you know, huge cancellation. The biggest one I did was the project, you know, two projects after we spent $25 million."

• Ape Escape: His personal favorite project.

  • Shuhei (108:53): "Ape Escape was a project I was personally hands-on and most enjoyed."

b. Relationships with Colleagues

Shuhei discusses his professional relationships, notably with Ken Kutaragi, PlayStation's visionary:

• Shuhei (09:32): "Ken was one of those people... How harsh he was, how difficult."

He emphasizes the mutual respect despite the challenges, acknowledging Ken's pivotal role in shaping PlayStation.

c. Challenges and Strategic Decisions

The episode touches on critical moments like the PS3 launch:

• Shuhei (35:46): "PS3 CPU was such an advanced architecture... It was so hard to program."

He candidly shares the financial strains and the company's reliance on other successful divisions to weather the PS3's rocky launch.

4. Shifts in PlayStation Strategy: Embracing Indie Games

Post-PlayStation, Shuhei transitioned to focusing on the indie gaming sector:

• Shuhei (78:23): "I want to continue to help indie developers or indie publishers."

He outlines his efforts to support indie developers through initiatives like Indy 2.0, fostering better discoverability and support systems for smaller studios.

5. Insights on Industry Competitors: A Look at Xbox

The conversation shifts to industry competition, particularly Xbox's expansive ecosystem:

• Shuhei (63:55): "Xbox teams have done, you know, many times some pioneering things... Having competition is always healthy."

He appreciates the innovation brought by competitors, recognizing the importance of healthy rivalry in driving the industry forward.

6. Future Plans and Post-PlayStation Ventures

Shuhei reveals his intentions post-PlayStation, focusing on assisting indie developers and leveraging his extensive industry experience:

• Shuhei (90:23): "I want to continue to help indie developers or indie publishers... let me know what I can do for you."

He expresses excitement about collaborating with developers and contributing to the indie scene, emphasizing his passion for fostering creative game development.

7. Audience Q&A Highlights

The episode features an interactive segment where Shuhei addresses questions from the audience, providing personal anecdotes and professional insights.

a. Bloodborne and Potential Sequels

• Audience Member: "Will we ever see Bloodborne again?"

• Shuhei (91:54): "Bloodborne has always been the most asked thing... I think the team is interested but... PlayStation team respects his wish."

Shuhei speculates on the potential for Bloodborne's revival, attributing the possibility to the original creator's passion and the company's respect for creative visions.

b. Favorite Memories at PlayStation

• Audience Member: "What's your favorite memory throughout your years working with PlayStation?"

• Shuhei (102:53): "The biggest memory for me is when we launched the very first PlayStation in Japan December 3, 1994... It was such a special day for us all."

He fondly recalls the excitement and pride surrounding the launch of the original PlayStation, witnessing fans eagerly waiting to get their hands on the console.

c. Shuhei’s Influence on Iconic Games

• Audience Member: "As a huge Crash and Ratchet fan, I'd be remiss not to ask you to ask how you helped and influenced those games."

• Shuhei (113:57): "Crash Bandicoot was pretty difficult... we customized the Japanese version to better suit local players, which contributed to its success."

Shuhei shares his hands-on role in adapting Crash Bandicoot for the Japanese market, enhancing its accessibility and popularity.

d. Misconceptions About Game Development

• Shuhei (95:21): "Developer, creator has to really believe in what they are making and has to be so passionate... there's no clear way of saying this is good or this is good enough."

He emphasizes the subjective nature of game development, highlighting the importance of passion and belief in creating great games, despite external pressures and expectations.

8. Word Association Segment

To wrap up, Greg engages Shuhei in a light-hearted word association game, revealing personal sentiments:

• PlayStation 1: Love
• PlayStation 2: Us (relocating to the US)
• PSP: Open (referring humorously to UMDs)
• PS3: Hog (lighthearted jab)
• PS4: Mark Sunny
• Vita: Love
• PSVR: Most fun I had
• PS5: Kobe (likely referencing a heartfelt memory)
• Beyond: Happy days

These associations provide a glimpse into Shuhei's enduring affection and fond memories associated with PlayStation's legacy.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Shuhei Yoshida (01:05): "I was so relaxed, I felt and enjoying the work life. However, the last couple of months... I was putting a lot of pressure on myself."

• Shuhei Yoshida (03:14): "This was my first ever, really, serious voice acting."

• Shuhei Yoshida (09:32): "Ken was one of those people... How harsh he was, how difficult."

• Shuhei Yoshida (19:06): "Gran Turismo was the first, you know, huge cancellation."

• Shuhei Yoshida (78:23): "I want to continue to help indie developers or indie publishers."

• Shuhei Yoshida (91:54): "Bloodborne has always been the most asked thing... I think the team is interested but... PlayStation team respects his wish."

• Shuhei Yoshida (95:21): "Developer, creator has to really believe in what they are making and has to be so passionate."

Conclusion

Shuhei Yoshida's candid reflections provide a rare and insightful look into the inner workings of PlayStation's success over three decades. From navigating the challenges of groundbreaking consoles like the PS3 to fostering a thriving indie scene post-departure, Shuhei offers invaluable perspectives on game production, industry competition, and the delicate balance between business and creative vision. His continued passion for gaming and dedication to supporting indie developers promise exciting developments for the future of the gaming landscape.

For those who haven't tuned into this episode, Kinda Funny Gamescast successfully delivers a rich and engaging narrative, making Shuhei Yoshida's experiences and insights accessible and enlightening for both industry veterans and gaming enthusiasts alike.