Before diving into our thoughts on Ted Price’s much-anticipated and well-deserved retirement, we want to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone who has reached out to Insomniac, checking on our team and the Burbank studio during the devastating fires near Los Angeles. These fires have wreaked havoc on the surrounding communities, and our focus remains on offering support and staying in constant communication with Sony Interactive Entertainment, sharing essential updates and resources for those caught in this crisis.
Typing out the announcement of Ted’s retirement from Insomniac Games is every bit as emotional as it has felt to contemplate. The bond between us—Chad, Jen, and Ryan—and Ted spans many years. He’s not just been our leader; he’s also a cherished friend. Saying farewell to Ted is tough for so many reasons.
Ted’s ability to spur growth and inspiration in everyone is remarkable. He’s exemplified not only talking the talk but walking the walk, both in our games and in our roles as leaders and as a studio. His approach over the years has taught us a lot as we brace ourselves to step into those big, metaphorical shoes of his. While we shouldn’t attempt to fully “be like Ted,” his influence will surely guide our decision-making process with the frequent thought, “What would Ted do?”
Now, you might be wondering, “Who are these new faces leading Insomniac, and what’s next on the horizon?” Well, we’d love to share a bit more about who we are and how we envision our roles as co-studio heads moving forward.
Starting my journey at Insomniac during the PlayStation 2 days, I began in studio marketing and communications, quickly transitioning to become the studio’s first community director, a role I helped define within the PlayStation ecosystem. Over the years, I’ve been part of the senior leadership team and worn many hats, including Head of Franchise Strategy & Studio Relations, where I collaborated on strategies surrounding game announcements and creative integrations. Recently, as Head of Brand & Leadership Strategy, I’ve focused on ensuring our external communications and internal culture align with our values and actions. Off the clock, I’m all about gaming with my family—our recent favorites include Astro Bot and Lego Horizon Adventures. I also enjoy cycling—road and gravel alike. – Ryan Schneider, Co-Studio Head, Insomniac Games
I came aboard this incredible studio eight years ago as CFO and Head of Finance, and it’s been a rewarding journey ever since. Part of the leadership team, I support the development teams across all our titles—overseeing project planning, production strategies, and business operations, alongside resource planning and partnerships. Together, we’ve released 12 games since I first joined and I’m thrilled about the amazing experiences we’re bringing to players in the future. Before my Insomniac chapter, I offered strategic and financial expertise to global tech and entertainment sectors. Innovating continually drives me, both for our studio and our gaming community. Beyond work, I’m passionate about supporting local libraries and savored playing games with my kids over the holidays, like Astro Bot and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered—some truly unforgettable adventures. – Jen Huang, Co-Studio Head, Insomniac Games
Years back, I casually picked up Spyro The Dragon, only to be blown away by its level of detail and charm. This was clearly the work of a top-tier team, and I was eager to learn their secrets. Fast forward to now, and I’ve been with Insomniac since 1998, contributing across five generations of PlayStation as an Environment Artist, Art Director, Studio Director for Durham, and currently as Head of Creative since 2017. As a senior leader, I’m all about supporting our creative, story, and research teams, ensuring each game we release sports that unique Insomniac touch. The big secret? Magic materializes when talented minds build upon each other’s ideas while challenging one another to elevate their craft. I’m excited to collaborate with Ryan and Jen in continuing the studio’s tradition of creative collaboration. – Chad Dezern, Co-Studio Head, Insomniac Games
Our shared mission is to honor what has made Insomniac shine over the past 30 years while strategically evolving to grow even more successful in the decades ahead. We’re committed to maintaining our culture of transparency and teamwork; creating an environment where our team can flourish and deliver their best work.
What does all this mean for our players and fans? Expect to keep experiencing the games you love, created by people who are well taken care of. This resonates with our vision of making a positive and lasting impact on people’s lives.
We know this is big news, and there’s a lot to take in. Ted Price is nothing short of a legend in the industry, having spearheaded iconic PlayStation franchises like Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, and Resistance: Fall of Man, one after another. He’s been a guiding force through every PlayStation console generation and so much more. Ted has laid the groundwork for Insomniac as one of the most successful studios in the industry, and now it’s on us to ensure we continue thriving well into the future. Thanks to Ted’s exemplary guidance, we’re more than ready to meet this challenge head-on.
