Sony shuffles senior execs

  • By Emma Boyes, Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot UK
  • Posted Nov 30, 2006 10:17 am PT

With the PS3 launch behind the company, Ken Kutaragi, Kaz Hirai, Jack Tretton, Akira Sato, and David Reeves are all moving into new roles.

Sony's gaming operation is shaking things up at the top. Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has announced that its president and group CEO, Ken Kutaragi, will move into the position of chairman and group CEO of the company, effective December 1. The shift in Kutaragi's role with the company has set off a chain reaction of promotions and reassignments throughout Sony Computer Entertainment's operations worldwide.

Heading to Japan to replace Kutaragi as president of SCEI--and also taking the role of COO for the company--is Sony Computer Entertainment America president and CEO Kaz Hirai. SCEA executive vice president and co-COO Jack Tretton will assume both of Hirai's former positions at SCEA.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe will also be affected, as the company's president and co-COO David Reeves is also headed to parent company SCEI to serve as deputy president. However, current SCEI deputy president and group CFO Masaru Kato will retain his roles with the company. Finally, SCEI board member Akira Sato completes the reshuffle, moving into the role of vice chairman.

Sony has been the subject of much criticism for the handling of the PlayStation 3 launch. On top of delays and hardware shortages, Newsweek recently reported that Kutaragi's "slowness" in sealing third-party software deals cost Sony some high-profile exclusives, specifically Assassin's Creed and Grand Theft Auto IV.

270 Comments

  • Unforgiven2870

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 5:47 pm PT

    Ahh,Change of command lets all hope its a good thing.Hell at least there doing it faster then the US is.So Far i've seen fairly good news instead of bad.Lets see how far this goes.


    "Obama for president 08*

  • Unforgiven2870

    Posted Mar 5, 2007 5:47 pm PT

    Ahh,Change of command lets all hope its a good thing.Hell at least there doing it faster then the US is.So Far i've seen fairly good news instead of bad.Lets see how far this goes.


    "Obama for president 08*

  • rafaeiraul

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 1:16 am PT

    Patience is definitely virtue I believe. This is over the top, superb strategic change for the people at Sony as there are major modifications and clarifications needed for the software department at Sony especially after the launch of the PS3. They've got the hardware, now they've got to concentrate on the software, definitely in terms of making it use the PS3 to its maximum limit. Sony has been able to adapt before when they came booming in to the gaming industry from their rule of the audio industry, and I can't possibly see that their ability to rapidly adapt to the the current situation to be of any problem to them. Some mishaps such as the lost of exclusive titles i.e. Assassin's Creed to other consoles is something that seems almost unexcusable, but they are in the early stages and mistakes happens now and then. I've got nothing but confidence in Sony to make the best out of themselves. With other companies such as Microsoft coming in and making big impacts towards the gaming industry, prepare to see hell of a lot of action coming from the people that brought us the true meaning of gaming.

    Rafa'ei

  • aznme123

    Posted Dec 17, 2006 7:21 am PT

    Kaz is one cool dude from watching his press conferences... He seems to be really into what he does, and still intuned with a younger audience. Hope all goes wel for the future of Sony & Playstation series

  • PhillipsJ2

    Posted Dec 16, 2006 1:00 pm PT

    I'll ring you when I care. I am now going to continue not caring. Nope, still not caring. Not yet, not now, not ever. Really, who cares apart from the Sony execs? The prices will still be high, the products still buggy. Really.

  • dtfann003

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 10:44 pm PT

    for real, ff13 and mgs is coming to 360. Not just ps3.

  • edmakel

    Posted Dec 13, 2006 11:16 am PT

    MSG-Deathscythe
    senjutsu: " it's obvious from tons of posts on gamespot how 360 owners pray for FF, MGS, DMC etc to jump ship to their console but with your exception, no ps3 owners have any desire for their exclusives. "
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yeah, I bet nobody really wants to play Halo or Gears???yeah right...get a grip Fanboy....PS3 and All I wouldn't mind having Those two....

  • Xouber

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 9:35 pm PT

    grimbee I'm not going to read all this ... NEVER

  • GrimBee

    Posted Dec 4, 2006 8:32 am PT

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSX_%28DVR%29 . .So who was responsible for this??
    I havent seen gamespot comment or compare the ps3 to the PSX... although clearly both are extremely similar..
    But, the psx has ps2 ports for memory cards AND pads, also it has a MASSIVE hard drive, ability to record tv... also on dvds too... its also CHEAPER than the ps3... yet the ps3 removed those features!

    If these same guys were responsible, well... I have a firm belief that the ps3 wont go as far as the ps1 and the ps2 did.

  • trigun123

    Posted Dec 4, 2006 12:45 am PT

    can we get a good game other than resistance please!?

  • bigbrown69

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 9:16 pm PT

    still no good games yet

  • tegovoltio

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 8:45 pm PT

    Yup Kaz is a great busyness man. Id rather see him heading SCE than Ken and seriously his way more passable than Moore.

  • voytec2k

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 8:27 pm PT

    microsoft wins.

  • Ax-Slinger

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 8:27 pm PT

    This could help sony, but there's no way that Kaz Hirai can reach the status of Reggie or Peter, from Nintendo and Microsoft respectively. Anywayz I personally don't have anything against sony, the motion in the controller though was stupid, the Wii does it properly, and no rumble because they were used and didn't settle out of court like microsoft. Personally that put me off, I have my 360 and I have my Wii, I'll eventually get a ps3 if they come out with awsome games, there are a few i'm looking forward to, but for the most part Wii and 360 have the games covered, if 360 gets Devil May Cry (doubtful, but you never know) I wouldn't have a reason to get a PS3, thats the system seller for me, I don't care about Gran Turismo, or Metal Gear Solid. Personally i feel their both over-rated. Either way I agree Sony as a company has gone down hill as of late, they should have hired someone young and new, give the company a kick in the teeth. But this is still a good move none the less. And for those that say this doesn't effect us because we dont' work for sony, your wrong it does effect us cuz it effects the industry and on top of that It effects me more because i'm actually a business student and relate most with the game industry and music industry, so i look to them for information, and too see what works and what doesn't.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Dec 3, 2006 10:06 am PT

    You see, this has been Sony's plan for YEARS now.

    I mean, take a look - They first establish themselves, then they get their name known. And then once all the bases are covered, they think that they will have no option but to win.

    BUT, all that needs to happen to sony's plan is a great catcher and pitcher from the other teams, and it will be nothing more than another sony attempt at getting mass media acceptance.

    Take a look at Sony's presence in the media industry, they buy out music companies here and there, movie studios... whats strange is that (most recently, with casino royale especially) a sony owned company also has the means to promote sony products in that production.
    Casino Royale had a sony mp3, vaio laptop, even bluray security cctv systems.. Sony try every which way but loose to get their name out in the mass market. From TV's, to even the cameras that produce the programs you watch on tvs!

    Sony, quite honestly do make great products. In fact I would go as far as to say that the company is probably the best consistently good manufacturers in the world. HOWEVER, over the last few years, they have began to initiate this plan even further.

    It is annoying for me to have a sony digital camera, and then find out that the memory stick is not universal. Whilst nearly all other cameras use an sd slot.
    SD cards are the most popular format, nearly all companies use this format for their photo devices, pdas, in car navigation... even the wii has taken into account the versatility and popularity of this format, so much so that you can simply insert the card into the wii, and look at photos there!

    The psp is just an example of Sony's arrogant plan. The psp is technically awesome, its got great graphics for what it does, and the screen is great (not so great when it ghosts though...). But the entire psp is flawed because sony wish to push their memory stick format and umd format (so they can get royalties on every umd sold.. etc).

    The psp then is bogged down by load times, low battery... any research and development team can see that UMD is a bad idea, and 3 hours is AWFUL for such an expensive device, but in sony's plan is the fine detail of actually making money from the royalties, and the prevention of copyright.

    If they had sd cards (extremely cheap) as they way of running games, and movies (like the ds has its own cards), this would be awesome. Battery times would be very high, and people could enjoy movies they already own on dvd!
    But in sony's plan, its to remove dvd from the scene (see?) so they use UMD so they have no need to secure DVD in their plans... Also having downloadable content on the ps3 (ps2 games mainly) this means they no longer have to promote the dvd format, as you would be downloading games then, instead of having them on a disc.
    Each ps2 game sold on a dvd, royalties go to toshiba!

    In the long run, sony DO make great products, but recently over the last few years they have had this arrogant attitude, which is basically forcing everything sony into the livingroom. IMO I think that this plan will fall flat, because the competition is so amazing this time.

    From things like the ipod, to the ibook... sony is having each base its taken, marked by an oposing team, and slowly but surely those items (which primarily are made for one purpose) perfect that area, and knock sony out.

    Take the psp for example, its a perfect example of sony trying to dominate in all areas, using the playstation name to make it popular. But the ds is concentrating on games as its primary function, everything else is a second rate fun thing to do.
    And its totally winning, the ds does what its made to do, play games and offer consistently varied, fun games for all ages.

    So far, those promises Sony have made have turned quite bitter. I used to be extremely pleased with an espensive sony product before (like a cd player or something). I knew I would have the best battery life, or the best sound quality for the money.

    But now, because of sony's media pushing antics, this gives each unit a flaw. Even sony tvs, even though they are freakin awesome, some of them are a massive $600 difference in price, whilst a competing tv brand offers the same size tv, slimmer, and more functions for hundreds of $$$ less.
    For the sake of having the "best", revently this doesn't really matter.

    Before people would say "sony", now people are saying all kinds of makes because those names are becoming really popular now. PSP turned to "DS", WALKMAN turned to IPOD... it goes on and on.
    I wish Sony would give up their game, and just do what they did best, make great products which offered US what we wanted, not essentially giving us what SONY is offering.

    Knowing that these same guys are fronting Sony, I don't see their plans changing any time soon... so I think Sony are on a downward spiral for the next few years. Their financial losses and gambles are a lot to take control over, other companies only need to insert a few interesting things into their products and then sony will become second rate, at least for the gaming industry.
    The quicker sony stop trying to dominate, the better, imo. They made great products pre-minidisc era

  • Inner-Voice

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 9:52 pm PT

    Thats just not it RAZZY_B. The PS3 it hard to make games for. They can make game for the wii and 360 faster, and nicer. It's killing every one. Some of the big guys at sony wanted the ps3 to be a cpu. Also Sony wants to make there own windows system for there computers. This would help set up sony so they can go head to head with MS, and Mac. Every one is only looking at the small part of this. The next gen will be crazyer. Who ever wants the ati video card in there new next gen system might have a AMD cpu. as most of us know, AMD own's ATI. Also, the big guys are not happy with the Blu Ray player in the PS3. Why.... The blu ray is on its death bed. HD-DVD is hot. The real deal with blu ray is this. Sony wants to kill the copying dvd's and other things. HD-DVD can get rip. So to make shure that moves wont get copyed, they want blu ray. With blu ray that can put big, big, codes to lock out copying, and playing blu ray on the computer. That way they can make more cash on moives. In the next year we will see a big change. Something big is about to unfold. You'll see.

  • RAZZY_B

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 8:01 pm PT

    im guessin sony demoted ken cuz he already lost 3 exclusives wich WERE solely coming to the PS3 only, Assasins Creed ,Fatal Inertia, and grand theft auto V1 are now coming to the 360 and ps3, If it wernt for the ken and him takin his own sweet ass time sony wud still have AC GTA and FI in there exclusive list

    SCREW U KEN!!!!

  • T-92

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 3:09 pm PT

    snakes on a plane!!!! its not that big of a deal to me i just hope jak does good.

  • ogrenator

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 2:41 pm PT

    as of two days ago ken was moved down and now hes chairman when did this happen

  • ZeroDemo

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 11:33 am PT

    Indeed, not promotions should be made, people need to get fired.
    Sony is doing bad man...

  • staley6565

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 8:05 pm PT

    why would you keep the same management structure that's been focused solely on developing a new console for years now? now that the console is out, why not put the software developers in a better position to suceed? for all of those complaining how psp and ps3 has no games, maybe you should support the growth and power gains that their software focused execs have been given here. keeping the same structure that developed the systems that no longer need to be developed would be stupid. also, expect another restructure when this console cycle is coming to a close to once again spend time and effort focused on console development

  • fonzieahmed

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 5:31 pm PT

    ouch sony!

  • Tekki17

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 4:55 pm PT

    ^^ Attack it's weak point.... for massive damage.

    And I thought real-time weapon change would save the system.

  • GrimBee

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 3:50 pm PT

    What about the Giant Enemy Crab? What does he do now??

  • GigaSlave

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 3:37 pm PT

    _LEGIONS_
    "I thought they would appoint a giant historic crab to helm the corporation..."

    LOL

  • Yan1978

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 2:44 pm PT

    How much are you PS3 fans getting to support that failure of a system? I need some extra cash for xmas presents.

  • Ansem_Rev

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 1:46 pm PT

    I cannot wait for Sony to become just a Software Maker so I can enjoy such classics as Amplitude
    Ape Escape 3
    Arc The Lad: Twilight of the spirits
    ATV off road fury
    ATV off road fury 2
    ATV off road fury 3
    ATV off road fury 4
    ATV Quad Power
    ATV Quad Power 2
    Cool Boarders 2001
    Dark Cloud
    Disneys. Stich: Experiment 626
    Disneys. Treasure Planet
    Downhill Domination
    Drakan: The Ancients Gate
    Extermination
    Eye Toy: Anti Grav
    Eye Toy: Groove
    Eye Toy: Kenetic
    Eye Toy: Operation Spy
    Eye Toy: Play 1, 2
    Fantavision
    Frequency
    Genji: Dawn of the samurai
    The Getaway
    The Getaway Black Monday
    Gretzky NHL 2005 , 2006
    Hot Shots Golf 1 2 3 4
    Ico
    Jak X: Combat Racing
    Jet X20
    Killzone hahaha
    Kinetica
    The Mark of Kri
    MLB 04 , 05 , 06
    My Street
    NBA Shootout 2001, 2002, 2003
    NCAA 2001
    Neo Pets The Darkest Faerie
    NFL Gameday
    NHL Faceoff
    Okage: Shadow King
    Primal
    Rise of Kasai
    Rise To Honer
    Siren
    Sly cooper 1, 2, 3
    Socom 1, 2, 3
    Socom US Navy Seals Combined Assault
    Syphon Filter The Omega Strain
    Twisted Metal Black online
    War of the Monsters
    Wild Arms 3
    World Tour Soccer

    Is there any hope? Yeah well if ALL those titles do not sell well I suppose we have a chance in the market.

  • DVD7227

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 1:02 pm PT

    Changing things around with positions can result to bad things or good things. Sony has to focus towards the marketing campaign establishing more units and reducing costs, as for maintaining the developers to keep growing within there community. Sony was known for there games not for the system.

  • everythingj

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 12:38 pm PT

    "Warudeku:
    PS3 is going to win the console war kids... just accept it"
    ---------

    doubt it. consider the last console war:

    The ps2 came out early. It developed more games overall, and built up a marketshare that kept so much momentum it was difficult for the xbox to even try to catch up.

    It didn't matter that the xbox was graphically superior to the ps2 from day 1 of its own launch. It still took time to make games for the xbox that showed off how good it was (see halo2) compared to its competitors, and by then it seemed the majority of people who were going to get a gaming console that generation already had a ps2.

    Now everything's just reversed. The 360 has come out earlier, has good momentum and stellar games, and has a year or two lead on the ps3 in terms of development. People already know how to make amazing looking games on the 360. (see gears of war) It's going to take sony a while to figure out how to tap the ps3. And in the mean time, until sony comes out with games that generate the kind of buzz gears of war does, people will probably continue to buy 360s, because of its library of good games and its lower price.

  • aglett

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 11:32 am PT

    Promotions and reassignments?! What?! The real question is: Who is getting FIRED and REPLACED for the PS3 debacle? We're talking about missed sales and lost revenues in the billions.

  • _LEGIONS_

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 11:29 am PT

    I thought they would appoint a giant historic crab to helm the corporation...

  • xatman911

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 11:19 am PT

    Random comment: people who have been bad should be chartered to help at ps3 factories to make them to meet the demands, lol.

  • Warudeku

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 11:17 am PT

    PS3 is going to win the console war kids... just accept it

  • gamecube120

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 10:59 am PT

    This means nothing to me until I see 5 or more PS3's sitting in front of me next time I walk through Target.

  • boo_dat

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 10:48 am PT

    All of these promotions and moves mean nothing...in the grand scheme of things, this makes no difference whatsoever. Unless of course some or ANY of you work for Sony and one of these people will be/was your boss...which I'm guessing ISN'T the case...so for all of you who think you know what you're talking about, don't even try to make a big deal out of this useless news...

  • aashkii

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 10:13 am PT

    bwgamer, you mean "hire" Steve Jobs.

  • bwgamer

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 9:49 am PT

    Sony needs to higher Steve Jobs, lol!!!

  • Cloud14356

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 9:42 am PT

    i agree with built -_^ They shouldvee put one of us in charge

  • nick1500

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 9:35 am PT

    Well maybe this new shuffle of sony could help the company to leap back from the fall it had over the years. Now i guess it was expected. Looking at how the ps3 launches went and the crappy online service i guess sony would have taken to the beat. But does that mean good for us gamers. I mean will the new CEO will actually do anything worthy notice. I mean the ps3 is going to need to some serious work on many categories. Does that mean we have to download loads of firmwire upgrades for the ps3. But i guess this could be expected. I think sony is going to suffer a lot due to it's risk in the ps3 and maybe nintendo is finally making a massive comeback. For xbox 360 not much to say but i think it would become the new leader in the gaming era of next generation. Ohh how much i love saying that. GAME ON

  • Built

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 8:45 am PT

    dey shouldve put me up der...

  • _seVen_

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 8:20 am PT

    we'll see about Sony being 'down' within a year.

  • rick7001

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 8:02 am PT

    my balls are on fire!! Why so many people want Sony to go down?

  • lamplan

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 7:57 am PT

    If we bash Sony enough will I actually get my hands on a PS3?

    uh, yea, PS3s um blow n' stuff. And their executives are ... bad. and their controllers don't rumble, so you don't want one. oh and.. yea, the controller doesn't ever.. never ever act like a nunchooka or flail, or fishing rod. The system man.. Man the system is just something you don't want.

  • Quadster

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 7:44 am PT

    Now the main mission will be to get microsoft's hands on Metal Gear Solid 3 and 4 , i'd put off buying a PS3 for a long time if this happened.
    i've got nothing against sony as such, hell, if they had more interesting games apart from mainly RPGs and rehashed games, i'd actually buy more PS2 games, but fact of the matter is way too many RPG games, Final Fantasy IMO has gone too far, and THPS is just one game i've avoided since i tried 3 and disliked it, the only series i've kept with, is Metal Gear Solid, they never get boring.
    On the other hand the PSP has a good handful of games i'd like to try, so atleast sony haven't totally lost my interest

  • AceCometh

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 7:43 am PT

    A shake-up of personal will only result in more delays of getting those overpriced doorstops to retailers worl wide.

  • The_Weekend

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 7:34 am PT

    Whatever it is ... dun screw the Playstaaaaation!

  • pedefiel

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 7:31 am PT

    riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge raaaaaaaaaaaaaacer takes the lead

  • Bill-Rizer

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 6:46 am PT

    Time for Ken to "Go home and be a family man" . . .sorry, couldn't resist!

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 6:10 am PT

    lol.... krazy ken demoted

  • eanbowman

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 6:07 am PT

    MSG-Deathscythe:

    If all Sony has are a handful of great titles holding them afloat, then they might be in trouble after all.

    That said, while it doesn't make good financial sense to me to get a PS3 at launch I might pick one up way down the road. Only time will tell... I think many people feel the same as although it is likely a technical marvel yet to be exploited to even a fraction of it's abilities - it is still a game console, not a bill-paying console.

    There are simply more reasonable options out there. So for the hardcore, or the rich or the fanatic gamer, a PS3 might be a reasonable option. To most people... not really. Anyone I talk to wants the Wii because it looks like tons of fun. Wii elbow? It wouldn't hurt people to be a little more active. Simply get in shape and it won't hurt you to play for hours on end. Besides, I'm sure most companies will allow you a less active option for playing their games, by simply pressing buttons instead.

    The XBOX has a decent library of fun games. Being an owner of an original xbox and a PS2 (have owned both the classic and the slim), I know what titles are great for both and trust me, XBOX is NOT hurting for great titles. In fact, even having many titles for both - and probably more for PS2, I end up playing my XBOX more often.

    Anyway, I digress. My point is, the PS3 is simply unreasonable for the casual gamer. They're catering to a niche market... A large one, mind you, but it might not be large enough.

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