The internet birds are chirping following the latest rumors surrounding the departure of a significant figure from Sony. Connie Booth, the Head of Production at PlayStation, is allegedly no longer associated with Sony after dedicating more than 30 years to the tech giant. The rumor’s source comes from a series of tweets and a subsequent video by the creator of popular franchises like God of War and Twisted Metal, David Jaffe. While the news remains unverified by both Booth and Sony, if true, Booth’s exit would signal the end of an era for PlayStation.
Connie Booth’s history with Sony is both extensive and impactful. Beginning her tenure in the early days of PlayStation, she has been an instrumental figure in the production of over 100 games. Notably, she kickstarted her journey with the original Crash Bandicoot, serving as its senior producer. Her involvement didn’t end there; she played pivotal roles in a lot of beloved franchises, from Spyro the Dragon and Syphon Filter to more recent hits like Spider-Man, Death Stranding, and Ghost of Tsushima.
In fact, as recognition of her profound contributions over a span of 25 years, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Science honored Booth with an induction into its Hall of Fame in 2020. Such acknowledgment from the industry underscores her role in shaping some of PlayStation’s most treasured titles and the lasting legacy she has imprinted on the gaming community.
Yes, THAT was the news. Good lord, I really wish gamers would stop acting like they want inside baseball but really can't be bothered to look deeper than a headline. I'm sorry it wasn't one of the PR names that you could get all riled up about, but this is a SIGNIFICANT loss for…
— David Jaffe (@davidscottjaffe) October 23, 2023
However, the precise circumstances surrounding her purported exit remain shrouded in mystery. In his video, Jaffe was explaining that he’d obtained from various sources, both inside and outside Sony. He stated, “She is no longer at Sony,” but cautioned that he lacked concrete details about whether she had been laid off or had chosen to leave on her own terms. Jaffe referenced conflicting reports, some of which suggested she was fired, while others hinted that her team was also shown the door.
The diverse range of responses, theories, and speculations from fans and industry insiders paints a vivid picture of how important Booth is to the brand. Jaffe, along with others, are expressing concerns about the future direction of Sony, especially in the context of the notable games and projects Booth championed. Her unique perspective and decisions have been highlighted as central to the success of various first-party PlayStation projects. In the past, Cory Barlog, the current creative director over at Santa Monica Studio, even attributed the success of his projects to her insights and guidance.
The possibility of Booth’s exit raises more questions. For instance, who would step into such large shoes? Many reports suggest that Angie Smets, formerly of Guerrilla Software and recently announced as Head of Development Strategy at PlayStation Studios, will succeed Booth. With two decades at Guerrilla under her belt and a recent transition to her new role as VP, Head of Development Strategy, Smets’ experience positions her as a potential successor.
Is it possible Booth’s departure will affect Sony’s strategy and the nature of the games that it greenlights? With several former Guerrilla executives, including Angie Smets, stepping into leadership roles, Sony might have telegraphed its direction going forward.
Between Booth’s still-unconfirmed decision to step down (or firing, whichever is true) and Jim Ryan’s resignation, Jaffe’s admittedly exaggerated concerns were partly right: “the Sony we all came up with is mostly dead.” The question now is, what kind of Sony will replace it going forward?
As the story develops, many will be keeping a close eye to see how Sony responds and what the future holds for one of the foremost brands in the gaming industry.
