In a press release issued earlier today, Sony Computer Entertainment International announced that Representative Director Ken Kutaragi, oft-cited as the "father of the PlayStation," will be retiring from his position effective June 19, during SCEI's annual shareholder's meeting. While his current day-to-day functions within the company will be turned over to Group COO Kaz Hirai, Kutaragi will still be known as an Honorary Chairman of Sony and senior technology advisor to Sony worldwide CEO Sir Howard Stringer.

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


What does all of this translate to for gamers? With a shift in the power structure from the man who helmed four PlayStation console launches to another generation, we could see a new vision and different direction in the way that Sony consoles are launched, designed, and marketed.