Opinion: Hermen Hulst Has Failed and PS Studios Needs a Change
PlayStation Studios faced fresh scrutiny following the scaling back of Horizon Hunters Gathering, a live-service title for PS5. The development prompted criticism of Hermen Hulst’s leadership at the studio, with observers citing the move as emblematic of broader strategic failures in Sony’s gaming division.
The cancellation or reduction of scope for the Horizon live-service project marks another setback in PlayStation’s efforts to expand into live-service gaming. This comes as part of a wider pattern of underperforming initiatives that have drawn internal and external criticism regarding executive decision-making at the studio.
The opinion piece reflects growing concerns within the gaming community about PlayStation Studios’ strategic direction under Hulst’s tenure, particularly regarding the company’s investment in live-service games—a sector where Sony has struggled to replicate its single-player success.