Landau has been an integral part of Sony Pictures, having served as president of its digital division for the past 10 years. He's been with the studio for nearly 20 years total.
Landau also helped oversee EverQuest creator SOE, which is currently grouped under Sony Pictures. However, beginning April 1, SOE will become part of Kaz Hirai's division, Sony Computer Entertainment.
A statement from Sony Pictures said Landau is planning "a new games and animation venture to develop and produce content for use across all media."
His interest in bringing movies and games together isn't new. He expounded on the possibilities and direction of convergence as an opening speaker at the 2007 DICE videogame industry summit.
“The technology has gotten a lot better, the experiences have gotten better, but [movies and games are] still fundamentally about the same emotions," he said at the time.
Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton added today, "When Yair came to us a few months ago and said he was ready to move on, we wanted him to stay, but it became clear that he wanted to do on the outside what he had been doing here on the inside for so long and so well-- building a new business in the 'new media' environment."
Landau will still work with Sony Pictures as an executive producer on 2009's animated film, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. His replacement will be named soon, according to Sony Pictures.
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Landau also helped oversee EverQuest creator SOE, which is currently grouped under Sony Pictures. However, beginning April 1, SOE will become part of Kaz Hirai's division, Sony Computer Entertainment.
A statement from Sony Pictures said Landau is planning "a new games and animation venture to develop and produce content for use across all media."
His interest in bringing movies and games together isn't new. He expounded on the possibilities and direction of convergence as an opening speaker at the 2007 DICE videogame industry summit.
“The technology has gotten a lot better, the experiences have gotten better, but [movies and games are] still fundamentally about the same emotions," he said at the time.
Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton added today, "When Yair came to us a few months ago and said he was ready to move on, we wanted him to stay, but it became clear that he wanted to do on the outside what he had been doing here on the inside for so long and so well-- building a new business in the 'new media' environment."
Landau will still work with Sony Pictures as an executive producer on 2009's animated film, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. His replacement will be named soon, according to Sony Pictures.
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