(Image credit: Guerrilla Games / Nixxes Software)
I’ve been loyal to PlayStation since my early gaming days, drawn by its top-tier exclusives and stunning visuals. Yet, former Sony chief Shuhei Yoshida suggests it’s time for the brand to explore a new path. In a revealing chat with AV Watch (translated by Genki), he shared insights on the company’s evolving vision.
Yoshida remarked, “Historically, PlayStation’s identity has centered on ‘cutting-edge graphics,’ a legacy from Kutaragi-san’s era. Players have come to expect this level of visual excellence from our titles.”
Reflecting on the past, the release of Crash Bandicoot on the PS1 was groundbreaking. According to a developer, Naughty Dog utilized high-end $100,000 SGIs over conventional $3,000 PCs, crafting characters that vividly outpaced their contemporaries.
Today, masterpieces like God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Zero Dawn continue to push graphical boundaries. Yet, Yoshida asserts, “It’s about time we need to rethink that.” He emphasizes, “Providing top-notch graphics is important, but to broaden our appeal, a shift in perspective is essential.”
The development of photorealistic games is both time-consuming and costly, explaining the prolonged creation periods for many triple-A titles. However, stylized graphics, admired for their timeless appeal, offer an alternative. While Crash Bandicoot may appear dated, it ages far better than Metal Gear Solid or GoldenEye 007.
Astro Bot exemplifies the success of non-realistic visuals. Selling over 1.5 million copies in two months, it attracted players new to first-party PlayStation games. Its charm lay in the adorable robots, not in the high-paced action of Spider-Man.
For more updates and to check out the upcoming video game release dates of 2025, stay connected. Perhaps you’ll find something that catches your eye.