Outgoing PlayStation boss Jim Ryan presented with PS1-style PS5 at thank you party

Sony Interactive Entertainment celebrated its outgoing president and CEO Jim Ryan at a recent party.

In images posted to social media by a PlayStation employee and event attendee, Ryan is shown enjoying drinks with fellow SIE staff.

Ryan was presented with a one-of-a-kind PS5 styled after the original PlayStation. The console included a PS1-style box and a PS1-themed DualSense controller.

Attendees were also served cookies with Ryan’s face on them.

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.