Brand new - Kutaragi steps down (as chairman), CNN officially calls PS3 a flop.

This is NOT OLD. He got demoted last year as CEO but was still chairman. Now he's gone from Sony business for good (he's now merely an parttime advisor to a small board. This is how they fire you in Japan when you are a big somebody, they break you down until they give you a window seat. The demotion is finalised.

And CNN calls the PS3 a FLOP.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech....ap/index.html

TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- The chief architect of Sony's PlayStation game console stepped down on Tuesday as the Japanese company struggles to defend its dominance in the video game industry and revive its reputation as an electronics pioneer.

Ken Kutaragi, 56, stepped down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s chairman and group chief executive, the gaming unit said Tuesday. The unit is now headed by Kazuo Hirai, SCE's former president and chief operating officer.

Kutaragi had already been relieved of day-to-day responsibilities as president last year but stayed on as its chief executive and chairman.

Though no longer a board member, Kutaragi will hold an advisory post at the gaming unit, according to SCE official Sayoka Henmi.

The departure of Kutaragi, an icon among gamers, marks the end of an era at Sony Corp. that saw the company long dominate the video game industry with its flagship PlayStation consoles.

But it also highlights troubles at Sony amid a series of blunders over the rollout of its PlayStation 3 and intense competition from Nintendo Co.'s popular Wii console and Microsoft's Xbox 360.

Kutaragi's most recent brainchild, the PlayStation 3, has been marred by embarrassing production shortages and a $600 price tag that some fans said was too steep, forcing Sony to give away free games and other marketing gimmicks to spur sales.

Sony has also struggled to expand beyond the young, male demographic of "hardcore" gamers -- unlike the Wii, which has actively targeted women, young children and older gamers. Sony's market share has shrunk as a result.

Tokyo-based Sony shipped 5.5 million PS3 machines in the fiscal year through March 31, fewer than the 6 million the company had targeted. Nintendo shipped 5.84 million Wii consoles worldwide during the same period.

In the latest slip up, Sony was forced to apologize to the Church of England for a violent computer game that features a bloody shootout inside an Anglican cathedral.
The PS3's hefty startup costs have weighed heavily on the company's fight to drive up profit in its core electronics division. Sony is not expecting to post a profit in its game business until the fiscal year ending March 2009.

The flop has added to the woes facing the maker of the iconic Walkman, which has also ceded its leadership in portable music players to Apple Inc.'s iPod.

Is the way they fire "big somebodies" in Japan that way so they can save face? Because if it is and everyone knows the technique and why he was fired it defeats its purpose.

This is NOT OLD. He got demoted last year as CEO but was still chairman. Now he's gone from Sony business for good (he's now merely an parttime advisor to a small board. This is how they fire you in Japan when you are a big somebody, they break you down until they give you a window seat. The demotion is finalised.

And CNN calls the PS3 a FLOP.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech....ap/index.html

TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- The chief architect of Sony's PlayStation game console stepped down on Tuesday as the Japanese company struggles to defend its dominance in the video game industry and revive its reputation as an electronics pioneer.

Ken Kutaragi, 56, stepped down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s chairman and group chief executive, the gaming unit said Tuesday. The unit is now headed by Kazuo Hirai, SCE's former president and chief operating officer.

Kutaragi had already been relieved of day-to-day responsibilities as president last year but stayed on as its chief executive and chairman.

Though no longer a board member, Kutaragi will hold an advisory post at the gaming unit, according to SCE official Sayoka Henmi.

The departure of Kutaragi, an icon among gamers, marks the end of an era at Sony Corp. that saw the company long dominate the video game industry with its flagship PlayStation consoles.

But it also highlights troubles at Sony amid a series of blunders over the rollout of its PlayStation 3 and intense competition from Nintendo Co.'s popular Wii console and Microsoft's Xbox 360.

Kutaragi's most recent brainchild, the PlayStation 3, has been marred by embarrassing production shortages and a $600 price tag that some fans said was too steep, forcing Sony to give away free games and other marketing gimmicks to spur sales.

Sony has also struggled to expand beyond the young, male demographic of "hardcore" gamers -- unlike the Wii, which has actively targeted women, young children and older gamers. Sony's market share has shrunk as a result.

Tokyo-based Sony shipped 5.5 million PS3 machines in the fiscal year through March 31, fewer than the 6 million the company had targeted. Nintendo shipped 5.84 million Wii consoles worldwide during the same period.

In the latest slip up, Sony was forced to apologize to the Church of England for a violent computer game that features a bloody shootout inside an Anglican cathedral.
The PS3's hefty startup costs have weighed heavily on the company's fight to drive up profit in its core electronics division. Sony is not expecting to post a profit in its game business until the fiscal year ending March 2009.

The flop has added to the woes facing the maker of the iconic Walkman, which has also ceded its leadership in portable music players to Apple Inc.'s iPod.

bareddd

ahh, this is old and umm your link isn't working sorry. I dont see where the7y say flop

[QUOTE="bareddd"]

This is NOT OLD. He got demoted last year as CEO but was still chairman. Now he's gone from Sony business for good (he's now merely an parttime advisor to a small board. This is how they fire you in Japan when you are a big somebody, they break you down until they give you a window seat. The demotion is finalised.

And CNN calls the PS3 a FLOP.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech....ap/index.html

TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- The chief architect of Sony's PlayStation game console stepped down on Tuesday as the Japanese company struggles to defend its dominance in the video game industry and revive its reputation as an electronics pioneer.

Ken Kutaragi, 56, stepped down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s chairman and group chief executive, the gaming unit said Tuesday. The unit is now headed by Kazuo Hirai, SCE's former president and chief operating officer.

Kutaragi had already been relieved of day-to-day responsibilities as president last year but stayed on as its chief executive and chairman.

Though no longer a board member, Kutaragi will hold an advisory post at the gaming unit, according to SCE official Sayoka Henmi.

The departure of Kutaragi, an icon among gamers, marks the end of an era at Sony Corp. that saw the company long dominate the video game industry with its flagship PlayStation consoles.

But it also highlights troubles at Sony amid a series of blunders over the rollout of its PlayStation 3 and intense competition from Nintendo Co.'s popular Wii console and Microsoft's Xbox 360.

Kutaragi's most recent brainchild, the PlayStation 3, has been marred by embarrassing production shortages and a $600 price tag that some fans said was too steep, forcing Sony to give away free games and other marketing gimmicks to spur sales.

Sony has also struggled to expand beyond the young, male demographic of "hardcore" gamers -- unlike the Wii, which has actively targeted women, young children and older gamers. Sony's market share has shrunk as a result.

Tokyo-based Sony shipped 5.5 million PS3 machines in the fiscal year through March 31, fewer than the 6 million the company had targeted. Nintendo shipped 5.84 million Wii consoles worldwide during the same period.

In the latest slip up, Sony was forced to apologize to the Church of England for a violent computer game that features a bloody shootout inside an Anglican cathedral.
The PS3's hefty startup costs have weighed heavily on the company's fight to drive up profit in its core electronics division. Sony is not expecting to post a profit in its game business until the fiscal year ending March 2009.

The flop has added to the woes facing the maker of the iconic Walkman, which has also ceded its leadership in portable music players to Apple Inc.'s iPod.

hi381

ahh, this is old and umm your link isn't working sorry. I dont see where the7y say flop

Can you read?? I mean it's even underlined and bold.

Is the way they fire "big somebodies" in Japan that way so they can save face? Because if it is and everyone knows the technique and why he was fired it defeats its purpose.

The_Ish

Haha even CNN thinks the PS3 is a flop.MCGSMB

i would wait till after E3 before i would call it a failure.....

.jack_russel

It's not really a good thing at all. Nobody should be happy to see one of the companies or consoles go out like this.Mudig

[QUOTE="Mudig"]It's not really a good thing at all. Nobody should be happy to see one of the companies or consoles go out like this.Playstation00

[QUOTE="Mudig"]It's not really a good thing at all. Nobody should be happy to see one of the companies or consoles go out like this.Playstation00

I'm not happy about Sony's demise, but they had it coming. They made too many stupid business decisions, lied to their fans on mutiple occasions, and released a console that many average families just can't afford.

Sorry CNN must be very unprofessional if they think this is new news

http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation/ken-kutaragi-steps-down-at-playstation-255545.php

2 months off.... OLD

1) This is old.
2) Kutaragi holds an "advisory position" behind Kaz Hirai's chair.
3) This is old.
4) CNN doesn't know jack about video games.

It's not really a good thing at all. Nobody should be happy to see one of the companies or consoles go out like this.Mudig

Exactly. Take off the fanboy goggles and see that competition is a good thing, especially against microsoft (seen what they've done on Pc, and what they're doing with DLC?). The PS3 is too expensive and doesn't have any big-name AAA exclusives, end of story. If that gets fixed, it might be okay for the console. If not, bad for Sony, bad for gamers, and good for microsoft and nintendo.

Sorry CNN must be very unprofessional if they think this is new news

http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation/ken-kutaragi-steps-down-at-playstation-255545.php

2 months off.... OLD

Dahaka-UK

It's not old. Go to this link and look at the date: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech/06/19/japan.sony.ap/index.html

[QUOTE="Dahaka-UK"]

Sorry CNN must be very unprofessional if they think this is new news

http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation/ken-kutaragi-steps-down-at-playstation-255545.php

2 months off.... OLD

spidey008

It's not old. Go to this link and look at the date: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech/06/19/japan.sony.ap/index.html

How about you go to this link

http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation/ken-kutaragi-steps-down-at-playstation-255545.php

and look at the date.. unless kotaku has a time machine or something :|

oh yeah gamespot must also have a time machine.. http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6169725.html?tag=result;title;2 posted APRIL 26... OLD..

[QUOTE="spidey008"][QUOTE="Dahaka-UK"]

Sorry CNN must be very unprofessional if they think this is new news

http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation/ken-kutaragi-steps-down-at-playstation-255545.php

2 months off.... OLD

Dahaka-UK

It's not old. Go to this link and look at the date: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech/06/19/japan.sony.ap/index.html

How about you go to this link

http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation/ken-kutaragi-steps-down-at-playstation-255545.php

and look at the date.. unless kotaku has a time machine or something :|

Read the Articles. The Kotaku article says that Kutaragi steps down as President of gaming and joins the board.

The CNN Article says that Kutaragi has stepped down from the board. Basically, Sony is forcing him out the door little by little.

1) This is old.
2) Kutaragi holds an "advisory position" behind Kaz Hirai's chair.
3) This is old.
4) CNN doesn't know jack about video games.

NobuoMusicMaker

What do they need to know? Do the editors at CNN play games? no, maybe not but they are looking a the ps3 as a business and business is not good right now. You don't have to be a gammer to see that.

[QUOTE="NobuoMusicMaker"]

1) This is old.
2) Kutaragi holds an "advisory position" behind Kaz Hirai's chair.
3) This is old.
4) CNN doesn't know jack about video games.

jbeen

What do they need to know? Do the editors at CNN play games? no, maybe not but they are looking a the ps3 as a business and business is not good right now. You don't have to be a gammer to see that.

Amen. And Ken Kutaragi JUST got demoted AGAIN, for the SECOND time.

It's not really a good thing at all. Nobody should be happy to see one of the companies or consoles go out like this.Mudig

if you're old enough to remember some of the terrible things Sony has done to it's competition over the years I don't think you'd be shedding any tears.

personally i'm really really happy. Sony needed to be humbled, they're lead by arrogant fools these days.

1) This is old.
2) Kutaragi holds an "advisory position" behind Kaz Hirai's chair.
3) This is old.
4) CNN doesn't know jack about video games.

NobuoMusicMaker

You're right. CNN knows nothing about videogames, but CNN is also a multibillion dollar news organization who could easily pay any credible source in the industry to write up their thoughts about ANY given topic. Just because videogames isn't their main area, doesn't mean that they can't find people who know their stuff. :|

[QUOTE="Dahaka-UK"][QUOTE="spidey008"][QUOTE="Dahaka-UK"]

Sorry CNN must be very unprofessional if they think this is new news

http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation/ken-kutaragi-steps-down-at-playstation-255545.php

2 months off.... OLD

spidey008

It's not old. Go to this link and look at the date: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/biztech/06/19/japan.sony.ap/index.html

How about you go to this link

http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation/ken-kutaragi-steps-down-at-playstation-255545.php

and look at the date.. unless kotaku has a time machine or something :|

Read the Articles. The Kotaku article says that Kutaragi steps down as President of gaming and joins the board.

The CNN Article says that Kutaragi has stepped down from the board. Basically, Sony is forcing him out the door little by little.

sadly, reading comprehension isn't a requirement for the forums at GS. :(

Haha even CNN thinks the PS3 is a flop.MCGSMB

And they'll cover Paris Hilton for a whole day.

[QUOTE="MCGSMB"]Haha even CNN thinks the PS3 is a flop.CJL13

And they'll cover Paris Hilton for a whole day.

i'm sorry, you're thinking of Fox news..;)

sadly, reading comprehension isn't a requirement for the forums at GS. :(Nedemis

Kotaku -"but will still serve as Honorary Chairman of SCEI."

CNN - "Ken Kutaragi, 56, stepped down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s chairman"

One says he's made chairman, the other says he is stepping down as chairman.

[QUOTE="CJL13"]

[QUOTE="MCGSMB"]Haha even CNN thinks the PS3 is a flop.tango90101

And they'll cover Paris Hilton for a whole day.

i'm sorry, you're thinking of Fox news..;)

Actually CNN did. I don't know about Fox News but CNN did. Jon Stewart had a segment on their coverage.

1) This is old.
2) Kutaragi holds an "advisory position" behind Kaz Hirai's chair.
3) This is old.
4) CNN doesn't know jack about video games.

NobuoMusicMaker

LEARN TO READ. all you PS3 fanboys that can't read a freaking 250 word article. it's TODAYS NEWS!!!!!!!!

CNN knows more about games than you based on this post, hehe... no offense intended

This bad publicity is good for potential PS3 owners, Sony needs to get their head on straight and this puts on the pressure. Hopefully Kazuo and Stringer will put the system back on track, dropping the price $150 or more between E3 and November.FrenziedRaldo24

Sony can't drop the price any more, there loosing too much money per unit sold as it is.

sounds like they are doing to him what nintendo did to the father of the gameboy

[QUOTE="NobuoMusicMaker"]

1) This is old.
2) Kutaragi holds an "advisory position" behind Kaz Hirai's chair.
3) This is old.
4) CNN doesn't know jack about video games.

3picuri3

LEARN TO READ. all you PS3 fanboys that can't read a freaking 250 word article. it's TODAYS NEWS!!!!!!!!

CNN knows more about games than you based on this post, hehe... no offense intended

Sad, but true.

[QUOTE="Nedemis"]sadly, reading comprehension isn't a requirement for the forums at GS. :(Bansheesdie

Kotaku -"but will still serve as Honorary Chairman of SCEI."

CNN - "Ken Kutaragi, 56, stepped down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s chairman"

One says he's made chairman, the other says he is stepping down as chairman.

please read the previous posts that I quoted and you'll see that I was making fun of someone. :P

read the damn article

your soucre:

Ken Kutaragi, 56, stepped down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s chairman and group chief executive, the gaming unit said Tuesday. The unit is now headed by Kazuo Hirai, SCE's former president and chief operating officer.

kotaku: 2 months old

Kazuo Hirai who is currently President and Group COO, will now be promoted to President and Group CEO of the Playstation business worldwide.

so if ken kuturagi stepped downagain means that hirai also stepped down so who is now leading teh group they where in 2 months ago ?

bill gates ?

announced 2 months ago done today no big deal

I think Sony put too much stock in HDTV and Blu ray. They assumed Blu Ray would take off like DVD's did with the ps2. What they did not account for was that people may not have been ready for the jump to blu ray so soon. I think most people think that DVD's are just fine and are not ready to just jump to a new format so soon after DVD's have become the norm. And while Blu Ray may win the HD formatbattle from HD DVD they may just loose the war (at least for the next few years) to DVD's as people are just not ready to move over to a new formatso soon (heck even VCR's took 15 or so years before DVD took over). I think Sony just thought people were ready to move up but may have gotten to far ahead of themselves. Remember withDVD's all that was needed was a new palyer and the movies. Blu ray needs the player and a new TV,much bigger financial risk for the consumer.jbeen

I half agree. While in the short run, it's going to hurt Sony, if & when Blu-Ray wins (and with the Blockbuster deal that just went down, I don't see how HD DVD can put up a fight with just one studio backing them exclusively), it's quite possible that this pays off in spades down the line. Because HDTV use is going to rise, along with Blu-Ray, it's just that the effects of the benefits will probably reflected in sales a bit late in the game.

Also, a point could be made that people for the most part are happy with DVDs & aren' big on another format switch so soon.

read the damn article

your soucre:

Ken Kutaragi, 56, stepped down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s chairman and group chief executive, the gaming unit said Tuesday. The unit is now headed by Kazuo Hirai, SCE's former president and chief operating officer.

kotaku: 2 months old

Kazuo Hirai who is currently President and Group COO, will now be promoted to President and Group CEO of the Playstation business worldwide.

so if ken kuturagi stepped downagain means that hirai also stepped down so who is now leading teh group they where in 2 months ago ?

bill gates ?

announced 2 months ago done today no big deal

legalize3

um - read your stuff again.... please.

[QUOTE="Bansheesdie"]

[QUOTE="Nedemis"]sadly, reading comprehension isn't a requirement for the forums at GS. :(Nedemis

Kotaku -"but will still serve as Honorary Chairman of SCEI."

CNN - "Ken Kutaragi, 56, stepped down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s chairman"

One says he's made chairman, the other says he is stepping down as chairman.

please read the previous posts that I quoted and you'll see that I was making fun of someone. :P

Ok...well this was meant for him then.

Its not too late for PS3. If they smart they will drop the price get the console selling games out there and we will be back tops2 days once again.:)Playstation00

lol suck up