Shuhei Yoshida, the former president of Worldwide Studios for Sony Interactive Entertainment, recently shared insights into two of the most nerve-wracking moments he experienced during his long tenure at PlayStation. In a candid interview with MinnMax, Yoshida revealed that the launch of the Xbox 360 a year ahead of the PlayStation 3 was a "very, very scary" time. He explained that this early release put Sony at a disadvantage, as gamers eager to dive into the next generation of video games would have to wait longer for Sony's console.

However, the moment that truly shocked Yoshida came when Nintendo announced that Monster Hunter 4 would be exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS. "That was the biggest shock I had from an announcement from the competition," Yoshida admitted. Monster Hunter had been a massive success on the PlayStation Portable, boasting two exclusive titles. The unexpected move by Nintendo, coupled with a $100 price cut on the 3DS, which brought it to $150, significantly undercutting the PlayStation Vita's price, left Yoshida stunned. "After launch, both Nintendo 3DS and Vita were $250 but they dropped $100," he recalled. "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 retired in January after over three decades with Sony, where he became a beloved figure among PlayStation fans worldwide. Now free to share his experiences, Yoshida has provided valuable insights into the gaming industry. He has also expressed his reservations about Sony's push towards live service games and shared his thoughts on why a remake or sequel to the cult classic Bloodborne might not happen.