Ken Kutaragi, the chief architect of Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation game console will retire in June, it was announced today. Kutaragi will step down June 19th as Sony Computer Entertainment's chairman and group chief executive. He will be replaced by Kazuo Hirai, who is now president and chief operating officer of the division. In December, Kutaragi was relieved of day-to-day responsibilities as president of the video game unit but stayed on as its chief executive and chairman.
Kutaragi's most recent endeavor, the PlayStation 3 console, came out in November but was marred by production shortages and a $600 price tag that some Sony supporters said was too steep.
Sony says that it will continue to seek Kutaragi's input and ideas from a broad perspective, while continuing to support him in his efforts.
