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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070619/ap_on_hi_te/japan_sonyThe chief architect of Sony's PlayStation game console stepped down 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, retired 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 chief executive and chairman. In April, he announced his intention to retire from those positions this month.
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 (NYSE:SNE - news). that saw the company dominate the video game industry with its flagship PlayStation consoles.
But it also highlights troubles amid a series of blunders over the rollout of its PlayStation 3 and intense competition from Nintendo Co.'s Wii console and Microsoft Corp.'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. It went on sale late last year.
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.
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 ceded its leadership in portable music players to Apple Inc.'s iPod.
whomod said: I generally don't like it when people decide to play by the rules against people who don't play by the rules. It tends to put you immediately at a disadvantage and IMO is a sign of true weakness. This is true both in politics and on the internet." Our Friendly Neighborhood Ray-man said: "no, the doctor's right. besides, he has seniority."
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The conscience of the rkmbs! 15000+ posts
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But it also highlights troubles amid a series of blunders over the rollout of its PlayStation 3 and intense competition from Nintendo Co.'s Wii console and Microsoft Corp.'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. It went on sale late last year. It's interesting that they single out the PS3 in regards to shortages when at the same time the 360 had the same problem when it came out. I think, I'm not sure mind you, but I heard Microsoft hasn't made a profit from its game department yet. Can anyone confirm that? As far as price goes, the PS3 is selling better than the PS2 did and we all know where that system ended up.
Last edited by Pariah; 2007-06-19 8:48 PM.
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Hip To Be Square 15000+ posts
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I love the fact that they compare an MP3 player to a cassette player, completely forgetting that for year, portable CD players were the norm not cassettes, so Sony had probably already ceded its leadership years ago!
It's interesting that they single out the PS3 in regards to shortages when at the same time the 360 had the same problem when it came out.
And its also been a problem for Nintendo since the release. Quite funny though that its only been a problem to Sony, and its ok for everyone else to not be able to supply units!
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3000+ posts
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the PlayStation 3, has been marred by embarrassing production shortages and a $600 price tag Unfortunately and embarrassingly this is true.
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The price tag is exclusive to the PS3 yes, but production shortages has been a factor for all three next gen consoles!
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Kisser Of John Byrne Ass 15000+ posts
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Does the PS3 have wifi built in?
If so then $600 isn't that bad considering to get the 360 wireless you have to get the $400 system then shell out another $100 for the wireless adapter.
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Who will I break next? 15000+ posts
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November 6th, 2012: Americas new Independence Day.
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I thought there was only one version now, as they scrapped the idea of the 20gig version!
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Who will I break next? 15000+ posts
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The 20 gig version is still out there, its just not being made anymore.
November 6th, 2012: Americas new Independence Day.
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Well they never launched it at all here and said they wont, and way I heard it, it hadnt been launched anywhere.....maybe I heard wrong!
It was always pointless as the price you paid for it was not significantly lower than the all singing all dancing model!
If you could afford the 20gig version, there was no reason you couldnt save the extra £100 to get the 60gig version!
If it was half the price, then maybe they could justify it, but then of course they woulda risked not selling so many 60gig units!
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It was released here and Japan. They stopped making the 20 gig version about the time the PS3 was released in Europe.
November 6th, 2012: Americas new Independence Day.
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