Shawn Layden | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Layden in 2018 | |
| Born | (1961-06-25)June 25, 1961 (age 63) |
| Alma mater | University of Notre Dame |
| Employer | Tencent Games (2022-present) |
| Title | Chairman ofSIE Worldwide Studios (2014–2019) |
Shawn Layden (born June 25, 1961) is an American businessman. He serves as the strategic advisor atTencent Games.[1] Previously, he served as Chairman ofSIE Worldwide Studios, President and CEO ofSony Interactive Entertainment America (SIEA), and executive vice president andCOO of Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI).[2]
Layden joined Sony's corporate communications department in 1987 inTokyo,Japan, and was the communications assistant for Sony co-founderAkio Morita for several years.[3] Layden managed international software development at Sony Computer Entertainment's London Studio until 1999, when he became vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. After serving almost nine years he became president of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan in October 2007, a position which he held until March 2010.[4] In 2010, he was one of the founding members of Sony Network Entertainment International, serving as its executive vice president andCOO.[5]
In April 2014, Layden succeededJack Tretton as president and CEO of SCEA after Tretton stepped down from the position the previous month following a mutual agreement between Tretton and SCEA not to renew Tretton's contract.[6] Following his appointment as President, Layden participated in Sony's conferences atE3 from 2014 to 2018.[7][8]
In March 2018, Layden's role shifted to focus solely on Worldwide Studios, to "provide platform-defining content that helps drive the growth of SIE."[9]
Sony announced on September 30, 2019 that Layden was stepping down as chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios.[10] Journalists at the time believed this may have been due to a result of an internal power struggle with SIE President Jim Ryan over the further restructuring and globalization of SIE,[11] However, in September 2021, Layden stated he retired due to exhaustion, believing the launch of the PlayStation 5 was a "good time to put the pin in my legacy."[12]
Layden announced in September 2022 that he had joinedTencent Games as a strategic advisor.[1]
Layden graduated from theUniversity of Notre Dame in 1983 with aBachelor of Arts in American Studies. He is proficient inJapanese.[13]