In a suprise announcement today, Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated's chairman and group CEO Ken Kutaragi, reveals he will retire from his position this June 19th.  Better recognized by gamers as the "father of the PlayStation", Kutaragi was instrumental in creating Sony's successful console platform brand.

Unfortunately, the PlayStation 3 would prove to hit Sony's gaming division with losses due to high development costs.  Sony Corp. CEO Howard Stringer would take measures to curb such losses, and made it a point to get his company's divided business divisions to start working together.  Last year, Kutaragi was "promoted" from running the daily operations of Sony's games division as President, earning a more "hands-off" position as CEO.

Kutaragi notes he is leaving his post out of his own accord given that his tenure as board member expires in June, and will retain ties to Sony's game division as an honorary chairman and senior technology adviser.  SCE president and COO Kaz Hirai will step in to replace Kutaragi as SCE's new CEO.