Shannon Studstill Leaves Santa Monica and Joins Google Stadia

Shannon Studstill has left Sony’s Santa Monica studio in order to be the Studio Director of the Google Stadia new studio at Playa Vista, California.

Shannon Studstill is a well known veteran of the gaming industry, She leaves PlayStation after two decades of success at one of PlayStation’s studios, Santa Monica.She recently served as Vice President of product and development and Head of Santa Monica. She is the Executive Producer of the reboot of God of War reboot for PlayStation 4.

Sony has already appointed who is going to take the managerial role at Santa Monica, and Yumi Yang is now tasked to lead the studio. Yang was recently working with PlayStation as Santa Monica’s Director of Product Development, but she shares 19 years of experience over multiples roles at PlayStation.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Shannon Studstill on her new role. Under her leadership, the studio she helped found over twenty years ago masterfully reinvented itself and its greatest franchise with 2018’s Game of the Year, God of War. In her role as VP of Product Development, Shannon helped smaller independent teams incubate within the studio, leading to groundbreaking works like Journey and The Unfinished Swan. All of PlayStation is better for and grateful of her many years of exemplary service and bold creative vision.

Taking over as studio head is Yumi Yang, a 19-year PlayStation veteran with an extensive background in product development and heavy involvement across many of Santa Monica Studio’s biggest games. Her project management prowess and meticulous oversight of 2018’s God of War helped the title fully realize its groundbreaking potential. After nearly two decades and countless substantial contributions to Santa Monica Studio’s rich legacy, Yumi has the unquestioned respect and trust of her peers. With her vast experience and deep understanding of the studio’s distinct creative DNA, she is perfectly positioned to lead Santa Monica Studio to a bold and exciting future.