Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

[burnwood]

http://www.digitalworldtokyo.com/2006/11/kutaragi_removed_from_job_in_s.php

In a shock move, the PlayStation godfather, Ken Kutaragi, has been eased out of his position as president of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) and will be replaced by Kaz Hirai, the head of SCEI's US division.

[Spongedaddy]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

Did they put him in a mental institution?

I never like to hear of someone losing their job (although I am certain he will not be hurting for money), but this dude lost it a long time ago.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

http://www.digitalworldtokyo.com/200...m_job_in_s.php

Kind of shocking news.

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

[mjb2124]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

I never like to hear of someone losing their job (although I am certain he will not be hurting for money), but this dude lost it a long time ago.

He didn't even lose his job though. He got re-positioned to a CEO/Board role.

[jmood88]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

I guess that 4-d world he was living in didn't help him do a good job as president.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

It's bascially how J.Allard moved within MS from the Xbox division. I see how it's news, but it's not like Sony is saying Kutaragi did something wrong.

[jmood88]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

It's bascially how J.Allard moved within MS from the Xbox division. I see how it's news, but it's not like Sony is saying Kutaragi did something wrong.

Does it mean that he won't have as much of a hands on role with the playstation or is it something else?

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

Does it mean that he won't have as much of a hands on role with the playstation or is it something else?

Like I said, it's like J.Allard. He was the face of Xbox, brought the 360 to the door, and then moved on. Same with Kutaragi.

[RockyTop1]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

I bet his emotion engine is all jacked up right now.

[mjb2124]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

Does it mean that he won't have as much of a hands on role with the playstation or is it something else?

That's the way I took it......that he wouldn't have as much of a hands on role.

[pk500]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

It's bascially how J.Allard moved within MS from the Xbox division. I see how it's news, but it's not like Sony is saying Kutaragi did something wrong.

I see it very differently.

Allard successfully led the launch and development of Xbox and Xbox Live. He moved to the Zune project after Xbox and XBL were secure as industry competitors and the 360 was well along on the drawing board, as MS saw him as a guy who could lead a project from scratch and make it work in the marketplace among key demographics.

Kenny K was removed just weeks after a PS3 launch that featured far less units than Sony originally intended, and the machine has met moderate-to-lukewarm reviews among the mainstream and gaming media, especially for the price. Plus the PSP is getting killed by the DS in the handheld market.

If Kenny K was moved out next spring or summer, when the PS3 had robust stock at retail and an impressive lineup of software, then I would say this move was more like Allard's. But the timing is just too striking for this to be considered anything other than a coup in the boardroom at Sony, especially considering Kenny K's position as the godfather of the PlayStation brand since its inception.

Take care,
PK

[TJdaSportsGuy]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

If Kenny K was moved out next spring or summer, when the PS3 had robust stock at retail and an impressive lineup of software, then I would say this move was more like Allard's. But the timing is just too striking for this to be considered anything other than a coup in the boardroom at Sony, especially considering Kenny K's position as the godfather of the PlayStation brand since its inception.

Good post. Yeah, I like the points you've made here. I was thinking the same thing. The PS3 launched less than 2 weeks ago...kind of soon to be replacing the guy who has been the figurehead for this console all along.

And don't downplay the significance of Nintendo kicking the holy hell out of Sony in the hand held department. Sony put a LOT of stock into the PSP's success...and they're not even CLOSE to getting what they thought they'd get out of it.

[Cyros]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

And don't downplay the significance of Nintendo kicking the holy hell out of Sony in the hand held department. Sony put a LOT of stock into the PSP's success...and they're not even CLOSE to getting what they thought they'd get out of it.

Nintendo's handheld might should never be questioned.

[RockyTop1]

Re: Kutaragi removed from job at Sony

Is Sony officially losing its grip on #1? I haven't really seen any glowing impressions of the ps3, except maybe for people that haven't played a 360 yet and are going directly from the ps2 to the ps3 (which is understandable IMO). Their online service is crap compared to Live. The PSP is getting killed by the DS. UMD's failed. HD-DVD (according to numerous reports) is a better picture quality than BR. I kinda agree with what PK said, I think this is reactive, not proactive.