'Father of the PlayStation' adopts new startup

Former Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Ken Kutaragi said to be developing "an advanced platform for entertainment" built on cloud computing.

Former Sony Computer Entertainment chairman and CEO Ken Kutaragi gained his fame as the "Father of the PlayStation." The Japanese executive is credited as the inventor of Sony's defining entrance into the home gaming console market in 1994 and followed that success with the monumentally successful PlayStation 2 in 2000. Before departing SCE in 2007, Kutaragi also took the brunt of the blame for the PlayStation 3's floundering beginnings.

Ken Kutaragi

Today, Japanese business daily Nikkei Net reports that Kutaragi has reemerged at the head of a new Internet startup, named Cyber AI Entertainment. Reportedly incorporated during the latter part of October, Cyber AI focuses on networking technologies. The company has reportedly received investments totaling ¥20 million ($222,700), and Kutaragi serves as president of the business with a 90 percent stake in the company.

"We'll initially focus on research and development relating to information processing, targeting cutting-edge networking operations," Kutaragi said of the company's operations. Nikkei Net also reports that Kutaragi has made overtures toward developing "an advanced platform for entertainment" that taps into Internet-based development and processing, better known as cloud computing. No other details on the project were revealed, however.

62 Comments

  • robgam3r

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 2:52 am PT

    that man is a hero to millions thank u so much and i wish nothing but greatness 4 u and my new gaming system hahahahahahhaha

  • monson21502

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 3:42 pm PT

    @nobri. oh yeah, i didnt know that. maybe i will get things started by sueing sony for the stress of not having my 500 dollar 60 gig working. right when all the good games are coming out.

  • Nobri

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 2:11 pm PT

    @monson21502

    I'm pretty sure MS got sued for that (RROD), which is why they started to put it in the warranty. Of course, they lost. I'm not sure if the same thing happened with E74, but the main idea is that MS had to be sued before they put it in the warranty.

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 10:26 am PT

    Ken Kutaragi is a VERY optimistic person. wherever thats a good or not i dont know. but its probably why playstation is what it is today.

  • dr_jashugan

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 10:00 am PT

    Well, looks like Kutaragi on a cloud.

  • Sendmn23

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:46 am PT

    when its all said and done.. .Sony will probably buy it from him....

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:41 am PT

    @Master-blobby

    It's also people like him who almost destroyed the Playstation brand with their arrogance.

    But he's a smart guy and needs a hobby...the clouds are a perfect place for him.

  • Master-blobby

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 6:26 am PT

    Its people like Kutaragi who made the gaming industry what it is today, I salute you sir.

  • Everiez

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 1:52 am PT

    Whoa, why the hate people? Don't forget, it's him made playstation possible. No body's perfect, sure he made mistake on ps3 and people exaggerate it to hell and back but he made many success as well. Wish good luck to him and hopefully something new will come soon.

  • left4right

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:55 am PT

    sony kamikaze executives betrayed this guy. i hop he revenge.

  • akiwak

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:08 pm PT

    It will surely not be a new console system as we have experienced before. If he does make something it will be more along the lines of the OnLive, either way he will be bringing more competition to make sure prices stay low.

  • shkar

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:17 pm PT

    I would really support any thing that comes out of a Master mind and important figure as Ken Kutaragi..........
    But internet based games are not available for every one and for instance in my place the fastest internet can't be more than 100 KB download per second,,,,,,,,so technically and sadly it's no use for us..........

  • shani_boy101

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:35 pm PT

    good luck to him and his ventures, but i don't really support Cloud computing, i prefer actual ownership.

  • firehawk998

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 8:55 pm PT

    Well Mr kutaragi you were the father of the Playstation family. Hope whatever you do is a sucess.

  • king_chapeton15

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:16 pm PT

    @CoolKidX

    ha thats hilarious because every major gaming websites always review the 360 version of games 1st why would u think for 1 second that gs are ps3 bots in the 1st place

  • KittyHeart

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 6:11 pm PT

    ken kutaragi is starting up an internet startup company...?

  • alexkn64

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:59 pm PT

    @HerbalVideogame
    Because cloud computing is the worst thing that could happen to videogames. You wouldn't have any direct access or control over your games anymore. You wouldn't even own it. I'm not even talking about a physical copy either, digital distribution services like Steam and Impulse give you more control than a cloud computing service would. Want to modify your games? Too bad. Want to play without connecting to the internet, because the game itself is in neither a disc like in a console, or stored on your HDD? Too bad.

    I want it to fail, because it brings nothing good to the industry. Grow up and join the real world. Just because you can make it, doesn't mean it's a good idea.

  • 2w-sephiroth

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:54 pm PT

    I love all PS 3's Consoles. Not sure if to coment anything else until we really know what this guy is now into.

  • moe725

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:51 pm PT

    what? are they going to make a new consle from sony,some one please explain

  • monson21502

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:51 pm PT

    @Da_Skull_King, well. it started about 3 months ago. first thing was the sound wouldnt come on when i turned on my ps3 for games or movies untill i shut it off then back on. then about a week before it died. it made a really loud noise while i was playing cod waw. IM guessing that was the fan that blew out* then about a week or so later. while watching a movie the tv screen goes black. i look up and see my ps3 is blinking red. it wont let me get the movie out. i unplug everything then plug it all back in. push the eject right away and it spit out my movie. im think yes!! then all of a sudden the light goes from green then flashing yellow for a half second then starts blinking red again. i had no idea what was wrong until i went to ps.com and seen i had the yellow light of death.

  • HerbalVideogame

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:46 pm PT

    @alexkn64 Why would you wish anyone to fail? Especially when their efforts are to bring happiness and entertainment to others? That's pretty sad dude. Cheers to Ken Kutaragi, always for trying to get to the next big thing.

  • Da_Skull_King

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:39 pm PT

    @monson21502 how did it break? the ps3 i mean

  • gamer082009

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:19 pm PT

    It's so funny that people are hating on Kutaragi. The beginning issues with the PS3 were mainly due to it's price and lack of games, which seems to still be partially the problem (minus the price issue) and Kutaragi isn't even in the company anymore. That said, it's nice to see him out there still doing something whether we're interested in it or not.

  • monson21502

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:07 pm PT

    that sounds really stupid. who wants a internet start up program owned by the guy who almost ruined the ps3?

  • teknicz

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 4:47 pm PT

    The failure of the PS3 launch wasn't really his fault anyways.

  • monson21502

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 4:37 pm PT

    @Da_Skull_King, @ColdfireTrilogy, well i too have never had a system die on me. only problem i had was that my launch ps2 wouldnt play a dvd all the way threw without a disc read error. but that wasnt that big od deal. but both my ps3 and my 360 broke last month. got my 360 fixed for free. and i gotta wait till i gather up 200 bucks to get my ps3 fixed. i havent called sony about it yet. i just went to playstastion.com and seen i`ll have to pay 150 plus shipping both ways. i know they wont understand i cant afford to get my ps3 fixed this close to christmas. and im really really sure they dont give a crap..... i think they want me to add the extra 100 to get a slim rather then pay them 200 to get my 60 gig fixed.

  • alexkn64

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:58 pm PT

    Don't care. The OnLive garbage is "cloud computing" as well. All it means is you won't own any game you play, and you can't modify anything. All the computing is being done on remote servers somewhere.

    I hope this fails as badly as OnLive will fail.

  • WiiNut6493

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:57 pm PT

    Also a feature onlive needs to have is game trade in. if you buy a game through onlive, trade it back for a credit by clicking a trade in button.

  • WiiNut6493

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:56 pm PT

    They are probably worried about Onlive. i have a feeling Next gen we will see alot of this.

  • PSdual_wielder

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:50 pm PT

    Sorry, father of the PlayStation, 200K won't build you an over-the-top console.

  • Kleeyook

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:36 pm PT

    ......
    Well, whatever.

  • Da_Skull_King

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:35 pm PT

    @monson21502 the people who got the RROD before they changed the warrantys, they got screwed.

    and coldfire is right, most other systems last much longer

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:32 pm PT

    @monson21502 both of my friends had RROD AFTER their warranty expired so yes ... both had to pay ... and many others as well. In comparison my PS2 is working from 2001. my n64 is working from earlier than that, and my SNES is still working ANDDDDD my NES is working.... so ya ... say what you will but the 360 is the only console ive ever come in PERSONAL contact with that failed aside from the gamecube i bought half busted.

  • Da_Skull_King

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:30 pm PT

    ken kutaragi rules, i wonder what exactly this will pan out to

  • izmickey

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:08 pm PT

    @monson21502
    Honestly both companies can learn from each other. Sony can take a page or two from MS RROD warranty which is great. MS can take a page or two from sony when it comes to accessories. If sony can have everything in the box for $299(wifi or rechargeable controller) why cant MS? MS accessories are overpriced.

  • themyth01

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:05 pm PT

    So is he going to compete with PS3 now? well it'd be no surprise if he was bitter after all Sony did away with him when the PS3 turned out to be an industry failure and made company go into the red.

  • twistedmalice

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 3:03 pm PT

    I can't wait to see what that entertainment platform looks like and what it can do.

  • monson21502 posted Nov 11, 2009 2:58 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    monson21502

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:58 pm PT (hide)

    @Nobri, tell me how many had to pay close to 200 bucks to get their rrod 360 fixed? it dont take a fanboy to answer that. none of them did, even the ones did before got a full cash refund from ms.even when the new E74 error popped up . ms maned up and fixed that for free for 3 years. because both are things that go wrong with the system thats not the gamers fault.. something i think sony should do with its system problem..

  • CoolKidX posted Nov 11, 2009 2:52 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    CoolKidX

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:52 pm PT (hide)

    @RadecSupreme
    LOL, are you kidding? GS is cleary overun by Ps3 fanboys.
    But whatever fanboyism sucks anyways. But I remember 2007 , now that was GS turning into a xbox 360 fanboy paradise, now its all diffrent, oh well. Good for uhm.. fanboys?

  • k0r3aN_pR1d3

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:49 pm PT

    I bet that it is OnLive.

  • Nobri

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:41 pm PT

    @monson21502

    That is the most fanboyish comment I have ever seen. There are still more RROD victims than YLOD victims.

  • i_PWN_fanboys

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:33 pm PT

    @SalarianChemist
    Actually, Life with Playstation does help find cures for cancer and other diseases.

  • untouchables111

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:33 pm PT

    Guess the last guy only read some of the info he does not work for Sony anymore. And don't complain.

  • monson21502 posted Nov 11, 2009 2:23 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    monson21502

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:23 pm PT (hide)

    hey father, get your head out of the clouds and fix the YLOD problem and while ur at it make a better ps3 eye cam before you release the ps wand or else more people will be ripped off by sony....

  • TzarStefan

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    @taylormadederek OH NOEZ YOUR MONEH MENZ SOO MUCH!! NO SUPPORT /SADFACE!. Anyways this sounds interesting indeed

  • SalarianChemist posted Nov 11, 2009 2:01 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    SalarianChemist

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:01 pm PT (hide)

    PS3 and PS2 were both consoles that were very difficult to develop software for. At this point in time I wouldn't put much stock in anything involving Ken Kutaragi. In all honesty, I don't think Sony would either. After all, Sony did fire the guy.

    There is no doubt that Ken Kutaragi knows how to build "hype" for a product, but his problem is that he does so with lies. In the PS2 era, Kuteragi talked about how the PS2 Emotion Engine CPU could display playable graphics similar to the Disney movie, Toy Story. Obviously that never came close to happening.

    By the time the PS3 was released with the Cell CPU that was supposedly going to have two HDMI output, mandatory 1080p resolution, play games at 120 frames per second, and help cure cancer (no sarcasm, he actually said that), Ken Kuteragi was branded as person who generates false hype with lies, since so many of those things ended up being 100% false.

    The problem with trying to generate false hype with lies is that it often comes back to haunt you. I mean, let's be honest, if you compare the Emotion Engine supercomputer CPU used in the PS2 and compare it to the Cell CPU of the PS3 based on what Kuteragi said, the Emotion Engine chip is capable of displaying better graphics. But, we know that isn't the case.

    The thing that surprises me is that $220,000 really isn't that much money. So I don't think the project that Ken Kuteragi is working on is any type of "large" project.

    Time will tell what happens.

  • Thermador446

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:55 pm PT

    I knew that video games in the future would be like cloud gaming, but this is like ten years sooner than I ever expected.

  • im-a-roustabout

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:55 pm PT

    WOW 90 percent stake! That's a lot. No matter who comes into this forum and knocks this guy, we can't doubt he is a genius and hopefully will come up with some new tech the world will use.

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