Phil Harrison leaves Sony


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Press Release:

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI)

today announced that Phil Harrison, President of Sony Computer Entertainment

Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS), will resign from Sony Computer Entertainment

Group as of February 29, 2008. Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO of SCEI,

will immediately assume responsibilities as president of SCE WWS, in addition

to his current duties.

Prior to the launch of the original PlayStation, Phil Harrison joined Sony

Electronics Publishing, Ltd. in 1992, which later evolved into Sony computer

Entertainment Europe, and since then, he has made a tremendous contribution to

the company playing a strategic role in the launch of four PlayStation

platforms, as well as building strong relationships with game developers and

publishers throughout the world. Since his appointment to the position of

president, SCE WWS, Harrison applied his considerable skill, knowledge and

expertise to lead SCE Group's first party game development as well as

aggressively pursuing the development of new online entertainment experiences.

"As one of the founding members of SCE, Phil played a key role in the

development and growth of the PlayStation business and our industry," said

Kazuo Hirai. "It is sad to see him departing from SCE, but I wish to express

my gratitude for his many invaluable contributions and also wish Phil the very

best of luck in his future endeavors."

"The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining

journey of my life so far," said Phil Harrison. "I am grateful to all the

PlayStation family for their incredible support, guidance and friendship. It

has been a privilege to serve as part of the team and be inspired by them on a

daily basis. I am so proud of everything PlayStation has achieved and will

continue to support its future in every way I can."

:( Real shame - he encouraged so much growth and diversity with PlayStation over so many years. And on top of that he's a Brit. And he's tall. Awesome guy...hope he contributes to gaming in some way in the future.

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Don't think sony will be the same without. He must feel that his time at the top is over and most probably wants to sit back for a while. He'll no doubt find another role eventually that can use his talents to their utmost ability.

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(N)

Now we know how people who liked Peter Moore felt :/

Kaz is ok, but he's not as good as Phil. Hopefully they bring someone else on board!

Worldwide Studios boss to apparently join Gardner at Atari

Sources have indicated to GamesIndustry.biz that the head of Sony Worldwide Studios, Phil Harrison, who will leave the company at the end of this week, is to join Atari in the near future.

Harrison, who recently expressed his frustration at Sony Japan's lack of foresight on the casual games front - ceding ground to Nintendo in the process - will apparently join up with ex-EA executive David Gardner and spearhead Atari's push into the casual space.

While at Sony, Harrison - one of the most respected people in the games industry worldwide - has overseen a large number of high-profile successes, including titles such as EyeToy, Buzz and the forthcoming PlayStation Home project.

That talent for spotting and evolving more mainstream products on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 platforms would be most welcome to a company that previously indicated that it would re-focus its business on the online and casual games spaces.

And following the resignation of former CEO David Pierce last November, his replacement, David Gardner, who followed in January, has stated his ambition of seeing the Atari brand back in favour following a lengthy troubled spell for the iconic publisher.

"My goal is to help rebuild that passion around the company," said Gardner. "First, with the employees and then very quickly to spread it virally on the internet to millions of new customers. I have a personal challenge to create a world-class company that is European in flavour but reaches global markets.

"This will take some time of course, but here we have fantastic gaming DNA formed at the birth of the industry, access to creative talent and a company with the working capital to make the necessary investments to realise this vision," he added.

If Harrison does make the move to Atari it would be a massive shot in the arm for the publisher, and a sure sign to investors that the board is very serious indeed about the prospects for recovery

ps.

cry.gif

Edited by Audioboxer
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(N)

Now we know how people who liked Peter Moore felt :/

Kaz is ok, but he's not as good as Phil. Hopefully they bring someone else on board!

I agree, I don't like this.

When Peter Moore left, It didn't mean anything to me, but I can understand why people would be unhappy.

To know someone you usually see telling you about the products you enjoy is leaving, well, it just wont be the same.

Here's hoping they replace him with someone nice, and not a douche.

And as great as Kaz is, he isn't a Phil Harrison.

Its kinda unexpected, if he has been chatting just fine during GDC, something must have been going on behind the scenes that he would be leaving, especially when a year ago he was the guy who was telling us about Home and Littlebigplanet.

And going to Atari..odd, lol.

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I agree, I don't like this.

When Peter Moore left, It didn't mean anything to me, but I can understand why people would be unhappy.

To know someone you usually see telling you about the products you enjoy is leaving, well, it just wont be the same.

Here's hoping they replace him with someone nice, and not a douche.

And as great as Kaz is, he isn't a Phil Harrison.

Its kinda unexpected, if he has been chatting just fine during GDC, something must have been going on behind the scenes that he would be leaving, especially when a year ago he was the guy who was telling us about Home and Littlebigplanet.

And going to Atari..odd, lol.

That's the thing people have noticed though... Phil has been pretty quiet SINCE GDC last year. He hasn't said much at all, almost as if he was winding down to his exit.

Probably just wants a change, he did say he would be happy to help Sony out in whatever way he could after leaving so I don't sense bad blood or anything.

Also his outspoken comment on Japan and social gaming probably came because he was like "ah **** it, im leaving, here's the lowdown" :p

He will be missed, but nothing to worry about - Someone new, or someone existing will step up.

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That sucks for Sony. As much as I downplay Sony, I did think that much of their getting back on track after the fiasco of a launch was due greatly in part to Phil's hard work in the company. He seemed to know how to get things right the first time.

-Spenser

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Do you think SCE will be able to strive like it would of w/out Phil?

That's a huge question, because SCE is responsible for Home, and games like Singstar, The Getaway, and a few others (Afrika, maybe?).

That, and Phil was a good ambassador for Sony.

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That's a huge question, because SCE is responsible for Home, and games like Singstar, The Getaway, and a few others (Afrika, maybe?).

That, and Phil was a good ambassador for Sony.

I can easily imagine Kaz sweating bullets in certain situations..

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