The man who birthed the PlayStation has announced his plans to retire from his post as Sony Computer Entertainment chairman and CEO. Ken Kutaragi, who led the way within Sony for development of their gaming market and who created the PlayStation, will step down on June 19th at Sony’s annual shareholder’s meeting.

Sony has said that Kutaragi will retire to "pass the torch on to the next generation," and that it will allow Kutaragi to "pursue his dreams beyond PlayStation and accelerate his network vision."

His successor will be Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. president and chief operating officer Kazuo Hirai who will step up to be president and CEO.

Kutaragi’s statement was, "I am happy to graduate from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. after introducing four platforms to the PlayStation family. It has been an exciting experience to change the world of computer entertainment by marrying cutting-edge technologies with creative minds from all over the world. I'm looking forward to building on this vision in my next endeavors."

In addition to becoming an honorary chairman of SCEI, Kutaragi said he will keep “supporting” Sony Corporation chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer as a senior technology adviser.

After graduating from Tokyo University of Electro-Communications Kutaragi delved right into work with Sony, and with the support of CEO Norio Ohga, he convinced Sony to allow him to explore the gaming industry. This led him to invent the PlayStation, which was released in 1994, and the PS2, which came out in 2000.

In 2005, Kutaragi was demoted from the Board of Directors and became the head of the home electronics division. In another management shuffle Sony promoted Kutaragi from SCEI president and group CEO to chairman and group CEO, last year.

Howard Stringer spoke of Kutaragi as "a rare combination of a powerful visionary and entrepreneur." He also said, "Not only has he created a multi billion-dollar business for the Sony Group, he has brought the industry into a new dimension. Sony has benefited tremendously from his vision, his creative genius, and from the very strong team he assembled and nurtured. As Ken moves forward to pursue new opportunities, we will encourage and support him. My support also goes to Kazuo Hirai, who is a terrific executive with a proven track record with PlayStation business in the US. I am confident that he will inspire and lead SCEI to new heights."

Though Stringer spoke highly of Kutaragi when he heard of his retirement, the CEO wasn’t always so appreciative. Stringer rumored problems with the inventor in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, saying Kutaragi was “uncommunicative.”

Tags : Ken Kutaragi : PlayStation : playstation 2 : playstation portable : Sony : Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Comments

By: Dragonfly

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On: 12:39 Apr 28th, 2007
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I'm not sure were to be surprised by this or not.

I mean, the PS3 has been doring terribly, and the PSP still hasn't managed to usurp Nintendo's handheld console after all this years. Is it coincidence that he decided to "retire" at this point in time? It's hard to say.

Still, Ken Kutaragi is a giant in this industry, and the thing he's achieved aren't something that can be ignored. It's still surprising news to hear that he's retiring.

It'll be interesting to see how the industry handles this one.

By: Dragonsoul

On: 09:35 May 14th, 2007
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Getting out when the getting's good? That's what I figured. If Sony's ship is sinking it's best for him to set his sights elsewhere. Of course, it really is too soon to say that Sony is beyond hope but I guess whathisname just can't be bothered to push past this. Although with the creation of the Playstation he really has hit his peak, IMO.

By: Dragonfly

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On: 09:54 May 14th, 2007
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Dragonsoul;20390

... it really is too soon to say that Sony is beyond hope but I guess whathisname just can't be bothered to push past this.

News of the century.

Final Fantasy XIII is no longer a PS3 exclusive.

I usually wouldn't make such fanboyish remarks, but Sony is officially SCREWED this time around.