PlayStation Loses a Key Figure: Connie Booth Departs after Over 30 Years

Connie Booth, a long-time member of the PlayStation team and a key figure within the company, has departed, as confirmed by a PlayStation spokesperson. While the circumstances surrounding her departure remain unclear, there are reports suggesting that she may have been terminated. The spokesperson stated to Axios that Booth played a pivotal role in the current success of PlayStation Studios and created an atmosphere that allowed creative visions to thrive. They expressed gratitude for Booth's significant contributions to the company and extended their best wishes for her future endeavors.

Booth has not issued any statement regarding her departure from PlayStation, and the circumstances surrounding her exit remain undisclosed. David Scott Jaffe, a former PlayStation developer known for creating Twisted Metal and co-creating God of War, was the first to inform about Booth's departure from PlayStation. Jaffe, referring to sources within PlayStation, stated that Booth was terminated from her position.

According to Jaffe, "She was fired. It was not a voluntary departure, retirement, or resignation. She was fired." He also mentioned that she did not receive any prior notice or warning. "It happened unexpectedly," he added.

Jaffe mentioned that Jim Ryan, the previous head of PlayStation, directed PlayStation's teams to create more games-as-a-service titles, which apparently caused dissatisfaction among several PlayStation developers. Jaffe asserted that Connie bore the brunt of the criticism and was held responsible for it. Our Website has reached out to PlayStation seeking further information about this situation, particularly regarding the circumstances surrounding Booth's departure.

Previously serving as the Senior Vice President and Head of Internal Production at PlayStation, Booth gained recognition for his exceptional contributions to the gaming industry. In 2020, he was honored with induction into The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' prestigious Hall of Fame, solidifying his reputation as a staunch supporter of game developers. Booth played a pivotal role in the production of several acclaimed and beloved titles under the PlayStation umbrella, encompassing iconic games like Crash, Spyro, Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, Sly, Spider-Man, Resistance, Uncharted, Infamous, and The Last of Us.

Booth commenced her career with Sony Corporation of America in 1989 and later transitioned to the gaming team at Sony Computer Entertainment in 1995, serving as a producer. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the successful launch of Naughty Dog's Crash Bandicoot series. Subsequently, Booth was promoted to the position of director of product development in 1998, before attaining the role of vice president of product development.

Moving forward, PlayStation remains committed to the development of several live-service games, aiming to release a total of 12 such games by 2025. However, reports suggest that Naughty Dog's Last of Us multiplayer game may have been scaled back or possibly even canceled.