Ex-PlayStation Exec's Chilling Moments with Xbox, Nintendo

Shuhei Yoshida, former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment's Worldwide Studios, recently shared two particularly daunting moments from his extensive PlayStation career, both orchestrated by competitors Nintendo and Xbox.

In a MinnMax interview, Yoshida described the Xbox 360's one-year head start on the PlayStation 3 as "very, very scary." This early release put PlayStation at a significant disadvantage, potentially leaving those anticipating Sony's console far behind in experiencing next-gen gaming.

However, Yoshida cited an even more impactful surprise: Nintendo's announcement of Monster Hunter 4 as a 3DS exclusive. This came as a complete shock, given the franchise's immense success on the PlayStation Portable, where it boasted two exclusive titles. The situation worsened when Nintendo simultaneously slashed the 3DS price by $100, undercutting the PlayStation Vita.

Yoshida recounted the impact: "After launch, both Nintendo 3DS and Vita were $250 but they dropped $100. I was like, 'Oh my god'. And [then they] announced the biggest game... The biggest game on PSP was Monster Hunter. And that game is going to come out on Nintendo 3DS exclusively. I was like, 'Oh no.' That was the biggest shock."

Yoshida's retirement in January, after over three decades with Sony, has allowed him to offer previously undisclosed insights into his time at the company. He's since shared opinions on Sony's live service strategy and the lack of a Bloodborne remake or sequel.