PlayStation Names Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino as New CEOs

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino will succeed Jim Ryan as CEOs of PlayStation, effective June 1. Hulst will lead the Studio Business Group, while Nishino will head the Platform Business Group. Both will report to Chairman Hiroki Totoki, who has been serving as interim CEO since Ryan's retirement and will continue as Chairman, President, COO, and CFO of Sony.

Hulst, previously SVP and Head of PlayStation Studios, will continue developing first-party content and overseeing PlayStation Productions. Excited about his new role, Hulst stated his commitment to advancing the success of PlayStation 5 and future developments.

Nishino, formerly SVP of the Platform Experience Group, will continue his work on PlayStation technology and products, including PSVR2 and PlayStation Network. He will also manage relationships with third-party publishers and developers. Nishino emphasized the goal of connecting players and creators through premier products and services.

Chairman Totoki praised the dynamic growth of Sony Interactive Entertainment, highlighting the strategic leadership Hulst and Nishino will bring to deepen engagement with existing users and attract new audiences. The leadership change aligns with rumors of an upcoming PlayStation Showcase.

Sony Seemingly Confirms PlayStation Showcase for Later This Month

A PlayStation Showcase could be on the horizon before the end of the month. This speculation arises from a letter by Hiroki Totoki, Chairman of PlayStation, following the announcement of Hermen Hulst and Hideaki Nishino as the new CEOs. Totoki's message hinted at revealing more about Sony's long-term vision and the pivotal role of SIE later this month.

Although rumors about an imminent PlayStation Showcase have been circulating, Totoki's letter suggests that such an event might indeed be happening soon. However, the mention of a "public meeting" by Totoki introduces some ambiguity, as this could also refer to a corporate event rather than a gaming showcase.

Last year, Sony held both a public event and a PlayStation Showcase on the same day, leaving fans hopeful that this year might follow a similar pattern. If a showcase does occur, it promises to reveal exciting updates for the latter half of 2024 and beyond.

Potential Announcements at the PlayStation Showcase

PlayStation gamers have enjoyed significant releases in 2024, including Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, Stellar Blade, Rise of the Ronin, and Helldivers 2. However, there is curiosity about future releases, especially first-party titles. Rumors suggest a Horizon announcement, possibly involving a new Lego collaboration, given their previous joint Tallneck set.

Fairgame$, a PvP title that generated interest through a survey, might also make an appearance. Additionally, there's speculation about updates on Silent Hill 2 Remake, Ghost of Tsushima 2, and a mysterious sci-fi project by Cory Barlog. Fans are also eager for news from Insomniac, potentially a Wolverine release date or Spider-Man 2 DLC.

With Sony's strategic secrecy, the potential PlayStation Showcase could unveil numerous surprises, offering a thrilling glimpse into the future of PS5 and PSVR2.

EA Is Looking at Putting Ads in Its Games

EA CEO Andrew Wilson has revealed that the company is considering incorporating in-game advertisements as a "meaningful driver of growth." This announcement was made during EA's recent earnings call, where Wilson discussed the potential for dynamic ad insertion in major triple-A releases.

Despite Microsoft and Xbox recently closing down Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, making headlines for controversial business decisions, EA's new plan to integrate ads into games seems poised to attract significant backlash. The move comes amid ongoing criticism of triple-A and live-service games for pushing additional purchases in games already priced at around $70.

Wilson mentioned that EA has teams exploring the "thoughtful implementation" of ads within games, though he emphasized that this initiative is still in its early stages. He acknowledged the need to be careful with this approach, suggesting that while it's seen as a potential growth driver, it's still under consideration rather than full-scale development.

The idea of in-game ads isn't entirely new, with titles like Death Stranding and Alan Wake featuring product placements. However, the extent to which EA plans to integrate advertising remains to be seen. Wilson's careful wording indicates awareness of potential consumer resistance, yet the company is keen on exploring how ads might enhance community engagement and growth.

Yosuke Saito Hints at New Project That "Might Be Nier"

Square Enix executive officer and Nier producer Yosuke Saito has teased a new project in collaboration with Nier director Yoko Taro and composer Keiichi Okabe. As reported by Gematsu, Saito hinted that the project "might be Nier, it might not be Nier," leaving fans speculating about the possibility of a new Nier game.

The latest release in the Nier series was Nier: Replicant in 2021, a remake of the original game. The last new installment was Nier: Automata in 2017, making it seven years since a brand-new entry. During a talk with former Capcom producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Saito expressed his long-standing desire to collaborate again with Taro and Okabe. He promised more concrete information soon, urging fans to stay tuned.

Saito Working on a Second Project

In addition to the potential Nier-related project, Saito is also working on a second, entirely original IP. While details remain scarce, he described it as something innovative that hasn't been seen before. Saito's past credits include working on Drakengard, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, and various Dragon Quest titles.

"I'm doing various things with the idea of creating something that does not yet exist," Saito said. "I can't devote my time to that fully, so most of it has been left to the staff, but it's turning into something quite interesting. I'm looking forward to the day we can announce it."

With two projects in the pipeline, Saito's latest endeavors are eagerly anticipated by fans of his past work and the gaming community at large.

XCOM and Marvel's Midnight Suns Director Forms New Studio

Jake Soloman, the former director of the XCOM series, has founded a new game development studio named Midsummer Studios. Soloman, who left Firaxis last year, is joined by former colleagues Will Miller, the lead designer on Civilization: Beyond Earth, and Grant Rodiek, a veteran developer from The Sims series. Their new venture is already working on an unannounced life simulation game.

In a statement about the new studio, Soloman emphasized the importance of player-driven storytelling. "The best stories in games are written by the players," he said. Midsummer Studios aims to create a life sim focused on the drama of modern life, allowing players to craft and share meaningful stories through gameplay.

Although the title of their upcoming game has not been disclosed, Midsummer Studios has confirmed that it has secured funding and is eager to share more details soon. The studio is committed to sustainable growth and has hinted at expanding its team as development progresses.

Soloman spent 23 years at Firaxis, where he served as the creative director for the XCOM series and his final project, Marvel's Midnight Suns. Despite receiving positive reviews, Marvel's Midnight Suns underperformed in sales. Following Soloman's departure, Firaxis experienced layoffs, leading several former Firaxis talents to join Midsummer Studios.

Will Miller joins Midsummer after 16 years at Firaxis, while Grant Rodiek comes from Maxis Studios after an 18-year tenure. Their combined experience is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge to the new studio's projects.

Helldivers 2 PSN Update Is Out Now, But It's Optional

Helldivers 2's latest update has added PlayStation Network (PSN) support to its PC version, allowing players on Steam to link their accounts if they choose. Unlike the initial plan, this update makes account linking optional, so PC players can continue playing without a PSN account if they prefer.

The initial requirement for all PC players to create a PSN account sparked significant controversy among fans, leading to the game's delisting in over 150 countries where PSN is unavailable. This update, however, offers a compromise by making PSN linking optional.

As reported by GamesRadar+, the latest patch, 1.000.304, includes the optional account linking, which is a significant shift from the original plan. The change is so understated that it appears far down in the patch notes, without any direct mention of PlayStation, Sony, or PSN.

Despite the reversal, Helldivers 2 remains delisted in many countries. Developer Arrowhead has committed to restoring the game's availability in all affected regions but has not provided a specific timeline.

In a light-hearted response to the controversy, the update includes a new cosmetic cape that references the review bombing the game faced when the mandatory PSN update was announced. Arrowhead's approach indicates a desire to move past the controversy and continue improving the game.

Pokemon Gen 10 Reportedly Won't Launch Until 2026

Game Freak's latest Pokemon installment, Scarlet & Violet, debuted two years ago, ushering in the ninth generation of the franchise. Since then, details on the next generation have been sparse. However, prominent leaker Centro has revealed that Generation 10 is slated for release in 2026, coinciding with Pokemon's 30th anniversary.

This timing suggests that Gen 10 will launch on the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, though further specifics remain undisclosed. While we await more information, there are other exciting Pokemon projects in the pipeline.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Set for 2025 Release

Earlier this year, Nintendo announced Pokemon Legends: Z-A, a new game that revisits the Kalos region in the style of Legends: Arceus. Scheduled for a 2025 release, no exact date has been provided yet. However, Centro indicates it won't be an early 2025 release. Notably, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has hinted that the Switch 2 will launch after April 2025, suggesting Legends: Z-A might also debut on the new console.

Upcoming Pokemon Projects

While waiting for these major releases, fans are keeping busy with creative projects, such as recreating Pokemon Fire Red within Terraria, without any mods, demonstrating the community's dedication.

In addition, the biggest upcoming Pokemon game is TCG Pocket, a digital adaptation of the popular trading card game. Set to launch this year, TCG Pocket will be available on iOS and Android, offering fans a way to collect and compete without needing a new console.