Ken Kutaragi Steps Down

[Ryne]

Kaz Harai named as new president of Sony Computer Entertainment

Kutaragi led the team that created PlayStation but the recent issues surrounding the introduction of PlayStation 3 seems to have taken their toll in the boardroom.

A Sony statement explained, "Kutaragi will continue to oversee the entire SCE group as chief executive officer, and will fully exercise his power to reinforce and further accelerate the development of the PlayStation business."

Hirai has led the firm's US business since 2003 and assumes the new Tokyo-based role today.

Jack Tretton, currently head of Sony's US gaming business, will replace Hirai as boss of Sony America. "Given his experience and exceptional reputation in the industry, I can think of no better person to assume the helm of the PlayStation brand in the US, Canada and Latin America," Hirai said.

David Reeves has also now been appointed vice president at Sony Computer Entertainment. All move are effective from Friday.

Source - C&V

Better Article, thanks Spartan:

New Roles for Sony Execs Kutaragi, Hirai And Tretton

New Roles for Sony Execs Kutaragi, Hirai And Tretton Officials from Sony’s central Japanese games division Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) have announced a wide range of corporate reshuffles that will see new roles for Ken Kutaragi, Kaz Hirai and Jack Tretton.

Ken Kutaragi, the so-called “father of PlayStation”, has been appointed as chairman, giving up his role as president to Kaz Hirai but retaining his position as group CEO. Previously president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), Hirai will also become group COO of SCEI from December 1st, 2006.

The company also announced the appointment of Akira Sato, a member of the SCEI board of directors, as vice chairman, and David Reeves, president, CEO and co-COO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), as deputy president of SCEI, in addition to his current responsibility at SCEE, also effective from December 1st.

The nine SCEI members of the board of directors now includes: Ken Kutaragi (chairman and group CEO), Akira Sato (vice chairman), Kaz Hirai (president and group COO), Masaru Kato (deputy president and group CFO), David Reeves (deputy president), Howard Stringer, Ryoji Chubachi, Kenshi Manabe and Shigeo Maruyama.

At the same time, SCEA has announced that Jack Tretton has been named president and CEO of the American division, replacing Kaz Hirai. Tretton was formerly SCEA executive vice president and co-COO.

"Jack has been with SCEA since its formation and helped pilot the debuts of the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PSP and the successful launch of the recently released PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system," said Hirai. "Given his experience and exceptional reputation in the industry, I can think of no better person to assume the helm of the PlayStation brand in the US, Canada and Latin America."

"I am determined to build upon the momentum that Kaz and the entire SCEA staff has developed for the entire PlayStation family of products here in the US over the years," said Tretton. "Moving forward, we will remain focused on the continued market leadership of the PlayStation brand, driving consumer demand for the new PS3, and existing platforms such as PSP and PS2, which continue to excel in the marketplace."

Source: Gamasutra

Edited November 30, 2006 by Hova

[Elliott]

So we went from an egotistical discipline-instilling nutjob to "RIIIIIIDGE RAAAACER!" :laugh:

[Spartan_X]

about time, the man was in a need of a well deserved brake since long time ago... :happy: :yes:

now, lets all send "get well" letters to wherever sanatorium he was interned... :laugh: :rofl: :p

New Roles for Sony Execs Kutaragi, Hirai And Tretton

New Roles for Sony Execs Kutaragi, Hirai And Tretton Officials from Sony?s central Japanese games division Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) have announced a wide range of corporate reshuffles that will see new roles for Ken Kutaragi, Kaz Hirai and Jack Tretton.

Ken Kutaragi, the so-called ?father of PlayStation?, has been appointed as chairman, giving up his role as president to Kaz Hirai but retaining his position as group CEO. Previously president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA), Hirai will also become group COO of SCEI from December 1st, 2006.

The company also announced the appointment of Akira Sato, a member of the SCEI board of directors, as vice chairman, and David Reeves, president, CEO and co-COO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), as deputy president of SCEI, in addition to his current responsibility at SCEE, also effective from December 1st.

The nine SCEI members of the board of directors now includes: Ken Kutaragi (chairman and group CEO), Akira Sato (vice chairman), Kaz Hirai (president and group COO), Masaru Kato (deputy president and group CFO), David Reeves (deputy president), Howard Stringer, Ryoji Chubachi, Kenshi Manabe and Shigeo Maruyama.

At the same time, SCEA has announced that Jack Tretton has been named president and CEO of the American division, replacing Kaz Hirai. Tretton was formerly SCEA executive vice president and co-COO.

"Jack has been with SCEA since its formation and helped pilot the debuts of the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PSP and the successful launch of the recently released PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system," said Hirai. "Given his experience and exceptional reputation in the industry, I can think of no better person to assume the helm of the PlayStation brand in the US, Canada and Latin America."

"I am determined to build upon the momentum that Kaz and the entire SCEA staff has developed for the entire PlayStation family of products here in the US over the years," said Tretton. "Moving forward, we will remain focused on the continued market leadership of the PlayStation brand, driving consumer demand for the new PS3, and existing platforms such as PSP and PS2, which continue to excel in the marketplace.&quSource:e: Gamasutra

[AJerman]

WHAT?! I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING!

:laugh:

[Ryne]

Thanks for the better article Spartan :D

[Spartan_X]

Thanks for the better article Spartan :D

you're welcome buddy! :happy: :yes:

I was about to post the article and I got a call, when I finish your post was already up... :laugh: :rofl: :p

[LunarFalcon]

I think I'll miss some of his infamous quotes

[DrCheese]

This guy was shocking, his poor excuses for the delayed European launch and that we didn't mind waiting(hahahahaha) and the horribly delayed console that so far doesn't look better than an Xbox360, terrible online service.

That and his crazy quotes about people not caring about spending more and that by being forced to save more would instill discpline into customers was just wrong

[gunnerhkjp]

The title is wrong.

The news in Japan is saying Kutaragi was PROMOTED to chairman, also retaining his position as group CEO.

Far from stepping down.

[Ryne]

The title is wrong.

The news in Japan is saying Kutaragi was PROMOTED to chairman, also retaining his position as group CEO.

Far from stepping down.

Oh boy, I feel a roasting coming my way :laugh:

I hope a mod can edit it for me, I can't change titles.

[gunnerhkjp]

Oh boy, I feel a roasting coming my way :laugh:

Well, whether Kutaragi is good for Sony NOW (I presume he WAS good for Sony since PS and PS2 did well) is another matter all together :D

Some of the quotes he's been getting has been kinda wacky, although in some cases the translation into English hasn't been too kind.

[MGS4-SS]

So is being promoted to chairman a step down? I'm confused :wacko:

[The Teej]

I quite like Kaz Hirai, he seems more mentally balanced and overall more calm when doing his speeches. He spreads the PR like butter on toast, but who doesn't? Congrats to Kaz :)

[PL_ Veteran]

Aww...

Bye!

[spacer]

I quite like Kaz Hirai, he seems more mentally balanced and overall more calm when doing his speeches. He spreads the PR like butter on toast, but who doesn't? Congrats to Kaz :)

Does that mean people are toast?

[Noveed]

good riddance :p could stand the crap that came out of that guys mouth.

[Ironman273]

Considering the history that Kutaragi has with the Playstation I see his "promotion" as a demotion. They want to get him away from the direct control of the Playstation brand. Even the most die-hard Sony enthusiast can say that some of the stuff he was saying was truly idiotic at best. He's contributed a lot to the PS brand and they shouldn't fire him but his recent dabacle with the PS3 definitely warrants his distancing from the brand.

This reminds me of when Chris Bangle, the designer of the new BMWs, was "promoted" after the lukewarm reactions to the newly styled BMWs. He no longer had direct control over the design and the new BMWs are "softer" than his original plans.

[Gfunk4life]

now, lets all send "get well" letters to wherever sanatorium he was interned... :laugh: :rofl: :p

we all know what will be in your "get well" letter :whistle:

:laugh: :pinch: :p :o :D

[Sheppard]

Good riddance, now all we need is to get rid of Kaz Hirai and maybe the Playstation brand can return what it used to be back in the PSX days.

[Aero Ultimate]

They really should get rid of Kutaragi, perhaps the pitiful quality of Sony products would improve then :laugh:

[Spartan_X]

They really should get rid of Kutaragi, perhaps the pitiful quality of Sony products would improve then :laugh:

nahh... he is still useful to the company, just look at his new invention... the "Riic3Station HD Rice Cooker and Entertainment System*"

some of the most notable features included in the Riic3Station are build-in Blu-Ray player, internet browser, Linux support and profile management... just mention of few of them!

Cook B3yond!

* = power cable not included.

[brentaal]

-Blitz

[Ryne]

Sorry, I mislead with the title.

They were "shuffled".

[soniqstylz]

Considering the history that Kutaragi has with the Playstation I see his "promotion" as a demotion. They want to get him away from the direct control of the Playstation brand. Even the most die-hard Sony enthusiast can say that some of the stuff he was saying was truly idiotic at best. He's contributed a lot to the PS brand and they shouldn't fire him but his recent dabacle with the PS3 definitely warrants his distancing from the brand.

This reminds me of when Chris Bangle, the designer of the new BMWs, was "promoted" after the lukewarm reactions to the newly styled BMWs. He no longer had direct control over the design and the new BMWs are "softer" than his original plans.

That's pretty much it. They can't fire him (it would dishonor him publicly), so they basically promote him out of the way. He'll still get a paycheck, and has a nice shiny title, but he won't have any direct control.

That's how the Japanese roll.

I think even Kaz's shift to SCEA a while back was something of a demotion in the same sense.

[Rodrigo]

Considering the history that Kutaragi has with the Playstation I see his "promotion" as a demotion. They want to get him away from the direct control of the Playstation brand. Even the most die-hard Sony enthusiast can say that some of the stuff he was saying was truly idiotic at best. He's contributed a lot to the PS brand and they shouldn't fire him but his recent dabacle with the PS3 definitely warrants his distancing from the brand.

I agree. :yes: