Posted Apr 26, 2007 at 11:06AM by Ryan A. Listed in: PlayStation 3, PSP Tags: Sony, Ken Kutaragi, PS2, PSOne, David Karraker, SCEI
Ó

Ken Kutaragi to step down as SCEI CEO - Image 1SCEI, now chairman">Ken Kutaragi is synonymous with the brand PlayStation. after all, he is the brilliant mind behind consoles PlayStation 1 (PSOne), PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation 3 (PS3), and even handheld PlayStation Portable (PSP). So we were shocked after hearing that Kutaragi will step down from his post effective June 19.

While Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) didn't give any reasons why Kutaragi is leaving the PS family behind, it did say that the official will remain as an honorary SCEI Chairman and will be Senior Technology Adviser to Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation Howard Stringer.

Well, Sony actually did say something about Kutaragi's departure. According to them, Ken Kutaragi decided to "pursue his dreams beyond PlayStation and to accelerate his network vision" right after the worldwide launch of the new console. But you know how things go whenever a top executive leaves. It's always been "to pursue other dreams" so we don't know for certain if that's the real score.

When asked about this development, on the other hand, Kutaragi explained,

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 endeavour.


SCEI's new CEO is going to be Kaz Hirai who used to man the Group Chief Operating Officer. He will also retain his position as SCEI president. We wonder if David Karraker will still say that this is actually no big deal...


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41 Comments


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   by Darth Manson - 2007-04-26
 » Bull*****...

Everyone knows he quit in anticipation of the 360Elite. He is going to devote himself to gettting all 12 achievements in "Root Beer Tapper" on Live in 1080p.


   Re: moose (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » erm......picklely!!!!!!!!

lol@ the 360Elite, who cares....he quit because he sucks as a CEO, gald to see Kaz Hirai as the CEO

   Re: its about time (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » mebe ps wont suck ne more

perhaps his standing down will make room for a non nazi like sce. perhaps they will finally stop trying to fight homebrew , and relize its all that makes the psp float.

   Re: Fade (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » lol

Everyone knows that the 360 Elite is just a PS3 ripoff. They're dropping HD-DVD, and most likely going with BluRay. They're getting a bigger HDD to compete with the 60Gb PS3. Microsoft's starting to sweat. Anyway, I too am glad to see Kazuo "Kaz" Hirai take the helms. He seems like a smart, sensible, all around good guy. I'm not a Sony fanboy, I'm just tired of all the Sony bashing that's been going on. Does it honestly matter which system is better? It's all about fun. If I think I'm going to have more fun with a PS3, why should anyone debate that? It's not like it affects you.

Sorry for getting off-topic, I'm just tired of all the XBOTs.

   Re: Darth Manson - 2007-04-26
 » Fade?

Shut-up you nappy-headed ho
   by SONY OWNS MICROSOFT (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » WHAT?!

if he is the guy who came up with the ideas for the ps consoles, then what if the next CEOs dont do as good as he did?!?!


   Re: Microsoft bought out sony (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » about time

How could they possibly do worse than the PS3? His ego got the best of him, and it's like he didn't need to try anymore to make a consumer friendly product.
"They will buy it because it's a Playstation" he said.
Oops! Most people need more of a reason than that to spend $600.

   Re: ... (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » Microsoft + Consumer Friendly?!?!

I guess if you mean broken controllers and systems left and right, yeah, I can see your point...
   by Advertising -
   by nz (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » wait...

wasn't he the head of Cellius after Kaz took over?

   by PS3Rider (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » ...

Well I say good luck to him in life. Inventor of the Playstation One i say goodnight and I hope for the best for you!

   by Eric The Midget (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » He was fired

Haha! "Stepped Down"....that's a good one! More like he was forced to resign.


   Re: Sean (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » ..

Yep!

I remember reading a while back how other executives were having problems communicating with him..
   by nintendo (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » omg you guys know nothing

guys he got a job at nintendo thats why he quit, believe me i know i work at nintendo. it will be annouced in june just after he leaves. blieve me or dont its upto you but it is true hes gone to nintendo but he relised there better then sony.


   Re: ................. (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » ................

And if it doesnt happen your a complete dumbass and you should rot in hell for bringing up garbage like that.

   Re: code2006 (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » lol

ha ha yer right
he might as well go and work for microsoft but he is staying with sony but just not as ceo

   Re: Dj Natas (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » Lame, and it was announced last year

he was stepping down. Oh, and if you work for Nintendo, I fell sorry for them, unless you are the garbage collector, you grammar sucks!

   Re: .. (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » ..

Seeing how you spell, it's probably because of you that Nintendo is doing so bad...
   by Advertising -
   by hush404 - 2007-04-26
 » why he was ever ceo in the first place?

The guy is an engineer, not a paper pushing spokesperson. He should of been sitting behind a desk coming up with the new hardware instead Sony gives him all these high up "CEO" positions. I'm thinking thats why he left, he didn't care about the political side of things, he merely wanted to use his mind to make great technology.


   Re: jmartin (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » ...

lol yeah he's an engineer alright. he engineered the playstation brand's demise ;).
   by Xervan (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » Good Luck Ken Kutaragi

He's been with Sony for over 14 years. I think its nice that he's moving on to better things whatever that may be. So I think Sony will do just fine with Kaz Hirai stepping up. Ken did a great job with PS1, PS2, PSP, and PS3 so good luck to him.

   by Shatterdome - 2007-04-26
 » Crap...

I was looking forward to a 7D playstation 4....

   by DoubleDragon - 2007-04-26
 » Good luck to him

I think he was given the boot. It's really too bad because of how much he did for Sony. He is the single reason why Sony even has a gaming industry to begin with. Obviously the PS3 must be somewhat of a factor. It's a good system but not $700 good. Anyways he is to Sony what Myamoto is to Nintendo. I wish him good luck in the future.

   by blahblah (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » ....

He will be missed. he helped turn gaming into what it is today, he created some great consoles and should be remembered for that. He let power go to his head but thats not the important thing, he did great things.



   by WolfDeadly (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » Maybe

now now a guy who isn't so full of himself will take over and pull sony out of this pit

   by Djl (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » See ya

Ok. I'd like to see a fanboy pull something positive out of this one. The man that created the entire Playstation name is gone now, GOOD LUCK SONY!

Nah Nah Nah Nah......Nah Nah Nah Nah....Hey Hey Hey...Goood Byyyyyyye!


   Re: .. (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » ..

Just stfu. Period.
   by Dodo - 2007-04-26
 » ...

Whatever the reasons, Mr Kuturagi done a lot for Playstation, so he deserves our respect. My best wishes to him in his next endeavours.

I think Kaz Hirai will make a great CEO.


   Re: Advertising -


   Re: Darth Manson - 2007-04-26
 » Screw Him...

I could care less

   Re: Quixand - 2007-04-26
 » u like them old squinty guys ha

u might be happy he's got lots of free time now... happy screwing!!!

   Re: .. (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » ..

Lol @ Quixand. Nicely said.
   by ssff (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » shaa

me,too wishing him good luck.

   by NICEONE (Unregistered) - 2007-04-26
 » game player

ken is the man sony better hav his brain on reserve injoy ken u deserve it hope u come bak best wishes

   by Fklan (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » .

Great, so now all we have to pin our hopes on is RIIDDDDGGGEEE Hirai?

   by glass (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » cup

does this mean that tacos are now 3 for a dollar?


   Re: .. (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » ..

No, but it means your mother is three nights for a dollar.
   by sony fails (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » sony fails

i hope this old f*ck dies a slow and painfull death ... he f*cked the us - the customers - like he wanted to ... burn in hell u old kutaragiwhateverjapnameweaboofaq


   Re: .. (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » ..

You bloody fool. You have no idea what you are talking about. I wish the same thing for yourself.
   by why (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » why

he didnt make u or anyone buy a ps3

   by wowzers (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » good!

more power to ken hirai... RIIDGE RAACERRR!!! -lol

   by bigbj (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » oh

I thought it was bad but then i saw kaz hirai was taking over, so its ok

   by maher (Unregistered) - 2007-04-27
 » pspmovies

download free full length psp movies in mp4 format at

pspmov.info



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