The title says it all. The head of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) Worldwide Studios, chairman Shawn Layden is to depart from the company after five years in the position. He also held the position of president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America for most of this time. Seemingly a quicker tenure than his predecessor, Jack Tretton, who held the position between 2006 and 2014.

The announcement came in a tweet by the official PlayStation account, stating: “It is with great emotion that we announce that Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden will be departing SIE. His visionary leadership will be greatly missed. We wish him success in future endeavors and are deeply grateful for his years of service. Thanks for everything, Shawn!”

What makes this an interesting announcement is how Layden hasn’t made a statement himself. Both his Twitter and LinkedIn, at the time of writing, feature his position as chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios and neither state his departure. While looking for further information, Polygon had gotten in contact with a Sony representative for a comment on the news. The representative states that there is “no other information at this moment,” aside from the tweet.

Graduating from Notre Dame in 1983, Layden first joined Sony back in 1987 as part of the communications department, and communications assistant for Sony co-founder Akio Morita. From there Layden managed software development at Sony Computer Entertainment in London between 1996 and 1999. From here he became Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe until 2007, where he went on to become president of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. From there he has been COO; president and CEO, President, and chairman of PlayStation.

With many questions looming as to the sudden announcement has come, we will try to provide any updates. Alongside his career successes, Layden has been a common fixture at E3; and especially The Game Awards, where he (Sony), Phil Spencer (Microsoft), and Reggie Fils-Aimé (Nintendo) appeared together last year. This is also the second of the three to depart their respective companies this year. Reggie is set to lecture at his respective alma mater some time this month. 

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