When Layden left Sony in 2019, he was chairman of the organization’s global studios group. On Monday, Layden posted on LinkedIn that he hoped to assist Tencent in “deepening their activities” in the games sector. Tencent, a Chinese corporation that ranks among the largest companies in the world by market value, has already invested in more than 800 businesses. Layden worked with Sony for more than 30 years, rising to the position of vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in 1999. Later, in 2014, he had succeed Jack Tretton as President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America. We are at an epoch defining moment in gaming and interactive entertainment. There are many possible roads ahead but only a few are profound, broadening, inclusive, edifying, inspiring, and/or sustainable. I am thrilled to continue this journey of discovery and thank Tencent for the opportunity.” -Shawn Layden However, he’d depart Sony by October of 2019, just before the announcement of the PlayStation 5. Layden later told Bloomberg he felt console launches were “a young person’s activity” and he’d stepped aside to “allow another generation to take the PlayStation 5 to market.” The news of him joining Tencent will certainly be a breakthrough for himself and the company. Through numerous investments and hirings, Tencent Studios has recently increased their presence in the European markets. This demonstrates their commitment to growing their audience on a worldwide scale, and adding Shawn Layden to their roster is a positive move in that direction.
