It's the "creative genius" of auteurs like Hideo Kojima that's responsible for "games we always remember," according to former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden, who says he's "never seen a good game built by committee."
Speaking on The Trophy Room podcast (below), Layden – former president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment America as well as chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios – is asked if the games industry "overvalues" auteurs, with host Joe Moran specifically pointing to Metal Gear and Death Stranding's Hideo Kojima, BioShock's Ken Levine, The Last of Us's Neil Druckmann, and Todd Howard of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout fame.
Clearly, though, Layden doesn't think so. "Look, you know, there was only one Rembrandt, right?" he begins. "And there's only one Martin Scorsese. Auteurs, quote unquote, built this business."
As far as Layden is concerned, he "sadly" believes that "quite often greatness requires a megalomaniac. It just does." He refers to PlayStation's creator as he adds: "This is a guy who worked for Ken Kutaragi, so I know what I'm talking about."
Ultimately, it comes down to games being memorable, and the games from those auteurs being excellent examples. "From that chaotic genius comes games we always remember," Layden says. "I've never seen a good game built by committee. I've seen a lot of bad games built by committee, but I won't name them here. And that's just kind of how it is."
" He continues: "My job as chairman of the studios is just to get the rocks out of the road, lift the logs off the road.
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