Ken Kutaragi removed from president position! - PSP3D.com - Sony PlayStation Portable News, Homebrew, Hacks, Reviews, Videos, Mods, Forums

jasa · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 10:05 AM

In a recent review of Sony's management of their vulnerable Playstation line, President and proclaimed "father of Playstation", Ken Kutaragi has been removed of his President status. In a recent move, he will now no longer be involved in day-to-day decisions of the Playstation line. Head of the US department in Playstation, Kazuo Hirai will now take over his position.

That's not to say that Kutaragi isn't going to have an integral part in Sony, only not directly involved in what they do with their Playstation line in the future. He's been reappointed to Chairman (as opposed to President and COO). In Japan, the title of Chairman does not hold the same respect as Cheif Operations Officer. Part of this could be blamed for delays in their new PS3 console and less than stellar sales of their PSP. With an anemic launch in both Japan and the US, coupled with a delayed European launch until March, Sony was none too happy about Kutaragi's handling of their flagship console.

Source: Reuters

gun335 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 10:44 AM

This news is 1 day late...

Robkellas · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 11:12 AM

I hate Haz... With his Riiiiiidge Raaaaacer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111one!!
They should keep Ken.

jsf · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 11:13 AM

This could be very good or very bad.

gun335 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 12:36 PM

Very bad....

Alex C. · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 03:29 PM

Though I personally haven't thought much about Ken anyways, usually these changes in corporate position take a turn for the worse, as there is more instability in the company, and newcomers must become accustomed to the ways of the Sony structure. Bad timing IMHO. A way of alleviating the damage the lack of PS3 interest has caused? Quite possibly.

hige · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 03:57 PM

i believe that this isnt a bad thing, as they are keeping Ken on staff, therefore should kazuo fail, or require assistance, for a small fee Ken would help.
and he should have brought out the PS3 either when he said they would, or moved the release date.
A company will always go past its release date, even if the console is finished, just to drag it out and bring attention to the console. but the amount Ken pushed the PS3 was too much, so the media stopped reporting "PS3 pushed back, yet again!" and people lost interest, so they may have bought an Xbox360, or spent the money that would be used on a PS3 on something else.