Former Sony bigwig Shawn Layden is now lending his advice and brain to Tencent Games as he joins the Chinese games giant as strategic advisor. Layden shared the news via his LinkedIn, writing that in his new role he hopes to "advise, assist, and support the team at Tencent as they deepen their activities and commitments within the industry to which I've devoted the majority of my career."
Layden was the president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment America from 2016 to 2019, in a career that spanned more than nine years at PlayStation. Layden is a Sony veteran, having begun his career at the Japanese tech company all the way back in 1996, starting out as a producer in the International Software Development division in Tokyo.
Following that, Layden became Vice President at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, a role he held for more than eight years. He's also been President of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, in addition his final Sony job as Chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios. With such a long career in console development that coincides with PlayStation's emergence as one of the most dominant players in the console video games space, it seems likely that Tencent will hope to gain from his knowledge, experience, and expertise in this area.
"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," Layden continued in his LinkedIn announcement.
It's known that the ex-PlayStation leader had been feeling burned out in his duties and had left to take a break. Since leaving in 2019, Layden has taken on advisory and mentor roles, which he looks to continue with alongside his new role as strategic advisor at Tencent Games.
Meanwhile, Tencent is looking increasingly beyond its native China market to expand its business. It has already increased its investment in Ubisoft, while it is also looking to make further inroads in the triple-A, console, and mobile games markets internationally.
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