Sony’s Japanese branch has seen a massive restructuring over the last several months, with many high-profile departures occurring at Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan.
In December, Teruyuki Toriyama announced his departure from Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan, followed shortly after Keiichiro Toyama who left to start up his studio, Bokeh Game Studio, which enlisted another two former SIE Japan members, Junya Okura and Kazunobu Sato. Masaaki Yamagiwa announced his departure in February before a massive layoff happened at SIE Japan, which included Brendon Pritchard, and Ryo Sogabe,
Not long after the news, Sony confirmed that Team Asobi would lead development on new projects.
Now, it looks like Masami Yamamoto has joined his former colleagues in departing from Sony back in January. If you aren’t familiar with his work, Yamamoto worked on Tokyo Jungle, Soul Sacrifice, and Bloodborne.
少し遅れてのご報告です。2/28を持ちまして、SIE JAPAN Studioを退職しました。テヘ。前職SMEから含めるとソニーグループに25年。1stでの仕事は、ゲーム制作者として幸せに満ちたものでした。これも皆さんの応援のおかげです。あ、今後はどんなPFのゲームを作ってもいいんだ…すんごい不思議な感覚！ pic.twitter.com/oJJgvSEfID
— 山本正美@SHUEISHA GAMES (@camp_masami) March 15, 2021
“Including my last position at Sony Music Entertainment, I was with Sony Group for 25 years,” Masami said. “As a game creator, my job at a first-party was full of happiness. And it was all thanks to your support. Ah, in the future, I’ll be able to make games on any platform… what a strange feeling!”
