You’ve all seen the images of Sony Computer Entertainment founder Ken Kutaragi clinging proudly to the shiny chassis of an early PlayStation 3. Way back in 2005, the responsibility of revealing Sony’s next generation system fell at the feet of the former SCE president. But with the luminary’s status within the company now significantly diminished, and the platform holder strongly expected to announce the PlayStation 4 later this evening, which executive will be handed the opportunity to make the big reveal?
There are four potential candidates as far as we’re concerned: Kaz Hirai, Andrew House, Jack Tretton, and Shuhei Yoshida. All of the aforementioned names hold high ranks within the manufacturer’s hierarchy, with the former sitting right at the top of the tree. But which of the equally likeable employees will it be?
Since taking over the role as Sony CEO in April last year, Kaz Hirai – who is responsible for some of PlayStation’s greatest ever sound bites – has stepped away from SCE. However, there’s no denying the importance of the brand to the overall company’s financial health, and this may prompt the company overlord to handle the announcement himself.
It would certainly be a sign of confidence to shareholders. Hirai has already listed PlayStation as one of Sony’s core pillars, and by revealing the manufacturer’s next system, it would definitely reinforce that point of view. However, while the executive will certainly be in attendance at the press conference this evening, it would break tradition if he were to take the reins.
Ordinarily, it’s the current SCE president that it is responsible for revealing the platform holder’s next console. As previously discussed, Ken Kutaragi showed off the PS3 in 2005, while Kaz Hirai pulled the PlayStation Vita out of his pocket in 2011. Assuming the pattern is maintained, the burden will be passed onto Andrew House, who currently oversees the PlayStation brand globally.
But we’re just not convinced that he has the aura to make the announcement special. Clearly the Welsh businessman is extremely adept at his job, but he doesn’t ooze the same confidence as the aforementioned names. We suppose that this could be his moment to shine, but time will dictate if he’s up to the challenge.
That’s if he announces the system at all, of course. We fully expect SCEA president Jack Tretton to anchor much of this evening’s press conference. The straight-laced executive has become a firm favourite at E3 for his no-nonsense attitude and self-assured demeanour. The former Activision employee is an extremely good public speaker, so the platform holder may ultimately decide that he’s the best candidate for the role.
And then there’s Shuhei Yoshida. The boss of Sony’s Worldwide Studios has built up quite a strong following on Twitter due to his friendly personality and enthusiastic nature. It’s possible that the company may decide to leverage that, and allow the Japanese executive to handle the announcement.
Whoever the responsibility falls to, though, we’re sure that they’re suffering from some pre-show jitters right now. Who do you think that it will be? Let us know in the comments section and poll below.
Who do you think will reveal the PlayStation 4? (25 votes)
- Kaz Hirai
- Andrew House
- Jack Tretton
- Shuhei Yoshida
- Someone else entirely0%
Please login to vote in this poll.
Comments 19
I want it to be Kaz. Kind of a final farewell to PlayStation as he goes on to deal with the rest of the company.
maybe all of them will come on at once and all do it together?
Kaz please please pleaseeeeeeeeeee
Awesome lol
Anyway, my guess is we will get two announcers, mr Tretton is a good talker, I believe he will do most of the talking, while Hirai-san could just come into the stage right before they lift away the curtain to the PS4, leaving to Kaz this privilege.
@Valky I saw that on GAF earlier. Incredible!
I think a reveal of this magnitude needs the immortal Kaz, so we can keep these GIFs coming FOREVER.
ITS RIDGE RACER! RIIIIIIIIDGE RACER!
Kaz Hirai is winning this by a landslide.
It's gotta be Kaz, he was the face of the PlayStation division for a long time and along with Iwata he's the only other exec from any of the big 3 who isn't an annoying, arrogant donkey.
@PSOneSON
Just edited my post, I think Iwata seems like a good guy too.
I don't care if Kaz or Jack do the announcing, I just want some PS4 news.
Tretton should be nowhere near the stage. The man is a buffoon who just gets whiney 13 year old Americans who like to play 'my console is better than yours' hot under the collar.
It will be Tretton-sama obviously.
Last year playstation meeting it was Kaz, am I correct?
Poor Shuhei lol
I vote for Bill Gates
@PSOneSON Someday it will be so, I'm sure of that!
I choose Jack Tretton cause I think he's awesome, but Kaz Hirai is a very close 2nd on that list.
@Valky Holy crap, that's the funniest gif I've seen in a long time. Thanks for posting it! lmao
@hydeks I like Jack too, I don't mind that he's upfront about how much he doesn't like Nintendo. In fact, that's one of the things I like about him. A lot of people practically worship Nintendo, but Jack has no problem showing his true feelings about them.
@ThatOneBlackGuy agreed, he tells it like it is, even if it hurts alil All honesty, Nintendo isn't that bad, they just need something new like a new IP, and to revisit alot of there franchises that they just plain ignore lately (F-Zero, Star Fox, hell even a eShop new version of Duck Hunt would amaze me at this point). Love PlayStation though, there not afraid to look forward, while learning from the past.
Tap here to load 19 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...