Shuhei Yoshida is the founder of yosp Inc., a former Sony Interactive Entertainment executive, and the first Super CLAN of the Shibuya creator hub 404 Not Found. He is set to receive the CEDEC Awards 2026 Special Award and delivered the opening keynote at CEDEC 2026.
Shuhei Yoshida's career is defined by a consistent choice: the creator over the IP. At CEDEC 2026, he delivered a keynote titled "Wonderful Games, Creators, and Their Creativity That I Have Encountered," recounting nearly 30 years of working with developers. He joined Sony Computer Entertainment in 1993 as employee number 32, later led first-party development in the United States, and left Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2025 to found yosp Inc. His keynote covered 26 titles, from Crash Bandicoot and Gran Turismo to Gravity Daze and Beast of Reincarnation, and he named Journey as the title he is most proud of.
The keynote also offered rare insider accounts. Yoshida discussed the Japan-specific redesign of Crash Bandicoot and the initial rejection of Gran Turismo's concept. He called the lack of a Bloodborne remaster, PC version, or sequel a "mystery," and recounted how Demon's Souls had its overseas releases shelved before word of mouth changed that decision. His stated stance of always choosing the creator over the IP shaped his work with both AAA and indie developers.
Yoshida's transition from corporate leadership to full-time indie advocacy is now formally recognized. CESA announced on July 1, 2026, that he will receive the Special Award at the CEDEC AWARDS 2026, citing his early adoption of 3D technology, his role in propelling young creators, and his ongoing support for indie games. On July 14, 2026, he was appointed the first Super CLAN of 404 Not Found, a Shibuya creator hub, where he will produce and distribute a monthly podcast called YoshiP Radio and hold public recording events. He closed his keynote by expressing his intention to continue supporting indie creators worldwide.
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At CEDEC 2026, Shuhei Yoshida delivered a keynote recounting his nearly 30-year career, from joining Sony Computer Entertainment in 1993 as employee number 32 to founding yosp Inc. He discussed his involvement with 'Crash Bandicoot' and 'Demon's Souls,' and stated his career-long stance of choosing the creator over IP.
Shuhei Yoshida, founder of yosp and former Sony Interactive Entertainment executive, delivered the opening keynote at CEDEC 2026 on July 22. He discussed 26 games and creators from his career, starting with Crash Bandicoot and Gran Turismo. The article covers the first 10 titles, with detailed coverage scheduled after August 3.
At CEDEC 2026 on July 22, 2026, Shuhei Yoshida of yosp delivered a keynote titled "Wonderful Games, Creators, and Their Creativity That I Have Encountered," looking back on roughly 30 years of working with game developers. Yoshida joined Sony Computer Entertainment in 1993 as employee number 32, later led first-party development in the United States, and left Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2025 to found yosp. During the speech, he covered 26 titles, with the latter half introducing 16 co-creation examples from "Gravity Daze" in 2012 to "Beast of Reincarnation" this year. He named "Journey" as the title he is most proud of, citing Jenova Chen's focus on player feelings and a fan message about overcoming grief. Yoshida also discussed "Bloodborne," calling the lack of a remaster, PC version, or sequel a "mystery," and recounted how "Demon's Souls" initially had overseas releases shelved before word of mouth changed that decision. He closed by expressing his intention to continue supporting indie creators worldwide.
On July 14, 2026, the Shibuya Asobiba Production Committee announced that former Sony Interactive Entertainment executive Shuhei Yoshida has joined the Shibuya creator hub 404 Not Found as its first Super CLAN. The hub, located on the fourth floor of Shibuya Sakura Stage, is entering its third year and aims to strengthen its indie game initiatives. Yoshida will produce and distribute a monthly podcast called YoshiP Radio and hold public recording events approximately every two months. The Super CLAN role is described as a special friend who uses expertise and connections to expand the venue's appeal. In addition to Yoshida's appointment, 404 Not Found announced a planned collaboration with the indie game festival BitSummit, partnerships with overseas game events and organizations such as Games London, the launch of a regular 404 Creator Meetup networking event, and the Shibuya Game Cross experience event connecting the city with game culture. A new membership system called Chonai Kai has also been introduced for companies and individuals who want to support the hub's activities.
The Computer Entertainment Association (CESA) announced on July 1, 2026, that Shuhei Yoshida will receive the Special Award at the CEDEC AWARDS 2026, held during the CEDEC 2026 conference from July 22 to 24 at Pacifico Yokohama North and online. The Special Award honors individuals who have contributed to the overall development of computer entertainment. Yoshida joined Sony in 1986 and became part of what is now Sony Interactive Entertainment in 1993. He served as President of SIE Worldwide Studios from 2008, producing numerous hit titles for the PlayStation platform. In 2019, he became head of the Indies Initiative, promoting indie games. After leaving SIE in January 2025, he founded yosp Inc. in March 2025 and continues to advise indie publishers and developers. CESA cited his early adoption of 3D technology, his role in propelling young creators to stardom, and his ongoing support for indie games as reasons for the award. Yoshida will also deliver a keynote speech on July 22 titled "The Wonderful Games, Creators, and Creativity I Have Encountered."