Father of Playstation leaves under cloud

The legendary father of the Playstation, PS2 and PS3 at Sony, Ken Kutaragi, is to retire in June in a move that some feel is connected to the botched global launch of the PS3.

Kutaragi, who was stripped of his day-to-day duties in December, will step down as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc's (SCEI's) chairman and group chief executive. He will be replaced buy Kaz Hirai, currently president and chief operating officer of SCEI. Kutaragi will still act as an honorary chairman and senior technical advisor to Sony Corp's CEO, Howard Stringer.

"I am happy to graduate from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. after introducing four platforms to the Playstation family," said Kutaragi in statement. "It has been an exciting experience to change the world of computer entertainment by marrying cutting-edge technologies with creative minds from all over the world. I'm looking forward to building on this vision in my next endeavours."

"Ken Kutaragi is a rare combination of a powerful visionary and entrepreneur in one figure," said Stringer. "Not only has he created a multi-billion dollar business for the Sony Group, he has brought the industry into a new dimension. Sony has benefited tremendously from his vision, his creative genius, and from the very strong team he assembled and nurtured."

Some feel Kutaragi is the 'sacrificial lamb' following the mishandled introduction of the PS3 to the world. Apart from being too expensive, there were severe unit shortages when it launched in the US and Japan last November, while the rest of the world had to wait until just last month for a chance to buy one.

While sales have been steady they have not been spectacular, with the cheaper Nintendo Wii and the 17-month Xbox 360 still outselling it.