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24.03.2024 - 16:53 / videogameschronicle.com / Jim Ryan / Jordan Middler
A digital Jim Ryan bobblehead has been released to celebrate his career at PlayStation.
The collectible, which has been released through Sony‘s digital platform PlayStation Stars, can be obtained by playing a game that Ryan “championed” during his time at the company.
“Help us celebrate Jim Ryan’s 30 years at PlayStation by playing any one of the many impressive games he championed as CEO and get a special Digital Collectible. Happy retirement, Jim!” reads the description for the item.
The eligible games are Gran Turismo 7, Marvel’s Spider-man 2, God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part 2, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Destiny 2.
Sony announced in September that Ryan had made the decision to retire in March 2024 after almost thirty years with the PlayStation business.
In his own statement, Ryan cited difficulties juggling his home life in Europe and work responsibilities in North America.
“After 30 years, I have made the decision to retire from SIE in March 2024,” he said. “I’ve relished the opportunity to have a job I love in a very special company, working with great people and incredible partners. But I’ve found it increasingly difficult to reconcile living in Europe and working in North America.
“I will leave having been privileged to work on products that have touched millions of lives across the world; PlayStation will always be part of my life, and I feel more optimistic than ever about the future of SIE. I want to thank Yoshida-san for placing so much trust in me and being an incredibly sensitive and supportive leader.”
Ryan has overseen the PlayStation business since 2019, including the launch of the PS5.
The British exec has worked at Sony’s PlayStation division for nearly 20 years, and previously served as the boss of SIE’s European business and its head of global marketing.
He’s also known for his often unpopular statements, such as in 2017 when he questioned why anyone would want to play older PlayStation games.
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Today marks the end of Jim Ryan's 30-year tenure at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Having climbed the ladder of the company all the way to the top, his five-year stint as CEO has now drawn to a close, with Hiroki Totoki temporarily taking over until a permanent replacement is found. Speaking on the latest Official PlayStation Podcast, Ryan has one last interview, in which he comments on the platform's evolution, his career, and his thoughts on the PS3 boomerang controller. It's worth a listen.