Jack Tretton on stepping down as SCEA president:

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Jack Tretton on stepping down as SCEA president: ?I wanted to go out on top?

Monday, 2nd June 2014 22:03 GMT By Sherif Saed

SCEA?s former president and CEO, Jack Tretton, has opened up a bit about his final days at the firm, and why he chose to step down following the successful launch of PS4.

 

Speaking in an interview with Games Industry International, Tretton said, ?I did want to go out on top. I feel really good about where I left PlayStation with PS4 and I wish them the best of luck going forward.

 

?I spent 19 years with Sony and enjoyed it very much, but my original plan was three years and it just continued to get extended as the company was successful and I was successful. It just got to the point, especially with the success of PlayStation 4, that I?d done just about everything I could for them and I really wanted an opportunity to be more of a free agent as opposed to being dedicated to one platform and one company.?

 

Tretton said that establishing the PlayStation 3 and the Blu-ray technology, was the most challenging time. Noting that releasing PlayStation 4 ?was such a great redemption.? The former Sony Computer Entertainment of America president also didn?t shy away from talking about Sony?s competition.

 

?I think every company has their challenges but I have a tremendous amount of respect for Microsoft and Nintendo,? he began. ?I think they both have tremendous resources and strengths and they?ve had their successes in the past and they?ll have their successes in the future,? he said. ?Both companies will ultimately be around for a long time to come and will continue to have success in gaming. I?ve always said I think a rising tide lifts all boats, so if gaming is going to be healthy it needs as many healthy companies as possible.

 

?A world where there?s only one successful console manufacturer is not necessarily a healthy world. You need multiple people bringing multiple ideas and technologies to bear.?

 

The interview is an excellent look at the his legacy as a CEO for the past 19 years, and what lies ahead, do give it a read.

 

Thanks, MCVUK.

 

http://www.vg247.com/2014/06/02/jack-tretton-on-stepping-down-as-scea-president-i-wanted-to-go-out-on-top/

 

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I posted this last week about where he's headed next, but in case you missed it here it is again:

 

 

Former SCEA CEO Jack Tretton Joins AI Tech Company

 

Company looking to make the most of his video game experience.

 

By Luke KarmaliJack Tretton, former president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, has found a new job on the advisory board of a start-up investigating Artificial Intelligence.

 

PR Web reports Tretton will now help the company, called Genotaur, with its hopes of licensing new forms of interactive interfaces to partners across a range of fields, including digital entertainment and video games.

 

Genotaur's main focus is on developing new forms of "intelligent interactive interfaces" between humans and computers. Alongside games and digital entertainment, other areas the company is looking to branch into include robotics, childhood education and even action figures.

 

"This is a very exciting time for us at Genotaur as we develop new products and scale our business, focusing initially on implementation within the computer entertainment business. Jack?s experience in every area of building and operating consumer products and interactive entertainment companies will help us grow our capabilities at Genotaur,? said Tony Simpson, CEO and president of Genotaur. ?We are fortunate to have an executive of Jack?s knowledge and experience base on our team."

 

Tretton announced his decision to step down at SCEA earlier this year following a massive 19 years with the company, during which time he helped oversee the launches of the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Network and PlayStation 4 in North America. He was replaced by Sony Network Entertainment International EVP and COO Shawn Layden.

 

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/05/29/former-scea-ceo-jack-tretton-joins-ai-tech-company?%3A+ign%2Fall+%28IGN+All%29

[neoadorable]

All the best to him and his family, he contributed much to the industry

[RadishTM Veteran]

Gonna miss his E3 keynotes, all the best to him (Y)

[compl3x]

People liked Jack. I think people especially appreciated his address after that security breach Sony had a few years back.

 

And, of course, it is always better to leave on good terms and of your own volition than to be pushed because you're incompetent or disliked by the public. (Two things Tretton wasn't guilty of, of course)

[trooper11]

Jack was a cool guy and a decent speaker, so that led to some well received E3 speeches. Hopefully he does well for himself going forward.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Probably be remembered most for this

 

 

But this was a decent apology

 

 

and there's always the mic drop...