Earlier today, Google announced a brand new video game studio in Playa Vista, California created to develop games exclusively for Stadia. To head up the new studio Google tapped former God of War executive producer Shannon Studstill to lead the new endeavor. As for Santa Monica Studio, PlayStation has announced the new studio head to replace her.

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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.

In a statement to IGN, Santa Monica Studio has announced Yumi Yang, a 19-year veteran at PlayStation “with an extensive background in product development and heavy involvement across many of Santa Monica Studio’s biggest games,” as the next studio head for its Santa Monica location.“Her project management prowess and meticulous oversight of 2018’s God of War helped the title fully realize its groundbreaking potential,” a spokesperson said in the statement. “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.”Santa Monica Studio’s most recent game was 2018’s God of War which both Yang and Studstill worked on. God of War was a critical success and earned IGN’s 2018 Game of the Year award , along with several other accolades. The studio is currently developing an unannounced project.Check below for Santa Monica Studio’s full statement, and check out IGN’s God of War review here or our God of War wiki for walkthroughs, tips, and more.

Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter