Sony and PlayStation brands have come under increasing scrutiny with their recent decisions. Now, Shawn Layden, one of the prominent figures at the helm of the PlayStation brand in the past, has made a strong statement on social media in response to criticism of Ghost of Yotei. Here are the details…
Sony’s stance has become much firmer compared to before
During Sony’s recent PlayStation State of Play event, Ghost of Yotei was announced, which faced criticism from some players due to its female protagonist. The game, presented as a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, had its female hero described by some as a “forced female character.”
Shawn Layden, the former Sony executive, did not remain silent in the face of these criticisms. Responding to a discussion about the issue on X (formerly Twitter), Layden stated, “This is a game. It’s entertainment. It’s a story that a creative team believes in. They want to do this.” He continued, “This is a game. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. In fact, why don’t you make the game you want?”
These comments stirred significant reactions in the gaming world. Many gamers supported Layden’s approach and expressed excitement about the female samurai character in Ghost of Yotei.
However, some users pointed out historical realities, referencing the existence of female warriors in Japan’s pre-modern period, known as onna-bugeisha or onna-musha. They highlighted that these female warriors fought alongside male samurai and even led them.
In conclusion, Shawn Layden’s remarks can be interpreted as a defense of developers’ creative freedom while also calling for players to exercise their choice. The experience that Ghost of Yotei will offer and whether the criticisms are justified will become clear as gameplay videos start to emerge.
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