Former PlayStation Chief Calls Creators Like Kojima the Gaming Industry’s Main Driving Force

Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes the creative obsession of individual creators such as Hideo Kojima has given the industry games people remember for years.

On The Trophy Room podcast, host Joe Moran asked Layden whether the gaming industry overrates creators with distinctive individual styles. Moran cited Metal Gear and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima, BioShock creator Ken Levine, The Last of Us development lead Neil Druckmann, and Todd Howard, known for The Elder Scrolls and Fallout.

Layden disagreed.

“Look, there was only one Rembrandt, right? And there’s only one Martin Scorsese. These so-called auteurs built this industry.”

The former PlayStation executive said he believes greatness often requires a megalomaniac.

“Unfortunately, I think quite often it takes a megalomaniac to achieve greatness. That’s just how it is. Out of that chaotic genius come the games we always remember.”

Layden added:

“I’ve never seen a good game made by committee. I’ve seen a lot of bad games made by committee, but I won’t name them here.”

Looking back on his time at PlayStation, Layden said executives and game creators shared the same goal: making a great game. As chairman of Worldwide Studios, his job was to remove obstacles and draw management’s attention away from the teams so they could focus on development. He sought to protect creators from unnecessary distractions.

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