Kutaragi to retire from executive role at SCEI

Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that Ken Kutaragi, dubbed the 'Father of PlayStation', is to retire from his executive role at the company this June.

He will continue to hold the title of honorary chairman at SCEI, and will be senior technology advisor to Sir Howard Stringer, chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation.

Kaz Hirai will remain as president of SCEI, but has now been promoted from the role of group chief operating officer to CEO.

Kutaragi invented the original PlayStation in 1994 and followed up with the PlayStation 2 six years later. According to Sony figures, the consoles have a combined installed base of more than 200 million and over 2 billion units of PS and PS2 software have been shipped around the globe.

In a statement, Sony said that following the worldwide launch of PlayStation 3, "Mr Kutaragi has decided to pursue his dreams beyond PlayStation and to accelerate his network vision".

"I am happy to graduate from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. after introducing four platforms to the PlayStation family," commented Kutaragi.

"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. Iâm looking forward to building on this vision in my next endeavours."

Stringer added, "Ken Kutaragi is a rare combination of a powerful visionary and entrepreneur in one figure. 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."

Stringer also offered his continuing support for Kaz Hirai, who he described as "a terrific executive with a proven track record with PlayStation business in the US".

He concluded, "I am confident that he will inspire and lead SCEI to new heights."

Kutaragi's retirement will become effective on June 19, the same day as SCEI's annual shareholders' meeting.