Ken 'Father of PlayStation' Kutaragi will retire from his presently held executive role at Computer Entertainment, stepping aside come June. The long-serving chief will continue to advise Sony big cheese Sir Howard Stringer in the role of senior technology adviser, and will remain an honorary chairman too.

Kaz Hirai, COO of Sony Computer Entertainment who has been fulfilling Kutaragi's duties in recent months will officially become CEO.

Ken Kutaragi is credited with the invention of the PlayStation and the follow-up, the boss having driven of 200 million worldwide and over two-billion in software sales. Kutaragi won't be slipping slowly into the sidelines, however, Sony stating that "Mr Kutaragi has decided to pursue his dreams beyond PlayStation and to accelerate his network vision".

"I am happy to graduate from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. after introducing four platforms to the PlayStation family," said Kutaragi. "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."

"Sony has benefited tremendously from his vision, his creative genius, and from the very strong team he assembled and nurtured. As Ken moves forward to pursue new opportunities, we will encourage and support him," added Stringer in tribute to the former SCE CEO.

More as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge

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