Jim Ryan says gamers only remember the best games

We’re probably a little biased, considering we’re a PlayStation-focused site, but it’s hard to argue that Sony has some of the most talented game development teams in the business. Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, Santa Monica Studio and many more have been producing big hits for the publisher for years and years. Maybe from the end of the PS3’s lifespan, it really feels like first-party excellence has been a priority for PlayStation, and just look at the PS4 catalog as proof. Part of the reason for this high-quality bar, according to Jim Ryan, is simple: only the best games are memorable.

Speaking in an interview with Chinese publication TMT Post, the boss of PlayStation explains how the company strives for top-notch titles, even if that means they take a little longer to make. The translations of his answers are a bit rough, but the gist is there. He says it is “better to wait and have a good game than to rush and have a decent or pretty good game”.

Ryan continued, “Players only remember the best games rather than the correct games. If it’s a better game, players might want a sequel, and they might want to buy a sequel as well, but no one doesn’t really care about a game that’s just okay. ”He concludes that Sony won’t settle for less:“ We want the best ”.

He cites Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart as an example, a game he’s recently been playing. Ryan’s definition of a better game is one that “can arouse certain emotions in players, such as making the player feel excited, feel an adrenaline rush, or feel happy or sad.”

Again, Sony’s owning teams have excelled over the past decade or so, and many of their games are certainly making an emotional impact. In fact, the best PS5 games are basically those produced by PlayStation Studios.

It is possible, however, that Ryan is hinting at something slightly different; What is clear is that its goal for Sony’s software line to be industry-leading, which means games that are less than anything are unlikely to return. Series such as Gravity Rush or Days Gone, while good games, have not lived up to God of War, The Last of Us, or Horizon Zero Dawn. It seems Ryan is really only looking for home runs these days.

Do you agree with his statement? Do you usually only keep your absolute favorite games in mind? Discuss in the comments section below.