Kazuo Hirai is retiring. The 58-year-old has been the director and chairman of Sony for roughly a year, after he stepped down as CEO back in April 2018. Perhaps most commonly known for all the internet memes -- something that Hirai himself acknowledged during a press conference in 2016 -- it's very likely that Sony wouldn't be the company that it is today without Kaz.
Spanning a career that's lasted over 35 years, Hirai was made president of Sony Computer Entertainment shortly after the PS3 launched in 2006. Needless to say, he came in at a reasonably rough time for PlayStation and Sony in general. Over the next few years, the company's struggles would become clear, and so after he had set PlayStation back on the right track as CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Interactive, he climbed the ladder again.
This time, Hirai's goal was to overhaul Sony as a whole, reshaping its businesses after years of losing money. Under his leadership, the company's fortunes were reversed as he consolidated its efforts, and by the time the PS4 came around, Sony was in a far stronger position. The rest, as they say, is history, as the wildly successful current-gen console has gone on to act as the foundation of the firm's business.
During his time at PlayStation, Hirai oversaw a lot of stuff that's been crucial to the brand's ongoing success, namely the growth of the PlayStation Network, which is now generating a staggering amount of profit.
Hirai was the president of Sony Corporation from 2012 until 2018, a position that clearly suited him well, given the company's upward trajectory during that time. When he retires from his aforementioned position as director and chairman this June, Hirai will continue to act as a senior adviser at the request of Sony.
As a PlayStation-focused website, we'd like to wish Kaz all the best in his retirement.
[source sony.net]
Comments 27
2019 is seeing a lot of higher ups at game companies retiring.
Wish him well on retirement.
The State of Play wasnโt that bad tbh
Happy retirement, Kaz!
Sad day, but cheers to his retirement
Thanks for the memories, Kaz!
It's probably really weird to feel an attachment to a corporate bigwig who's all about making money at the end of the day, but I liked Kaz a lot.
Kaz, Boyes, House...I appreciate what they shared with us. But we keep Yosh.
Appreciated his work throughout the years. Thanks, Kaz!
So many retiring. Makes sense to leave in good health. Don't need anymore untimely departures.
its ridge racers.hahaha.gonna me kaz.we need Jack Trenton back.he was the g.o.a.t.word up son๐
Cheers Kaz, you deserve all the rest and praise.
@playstation1995 I want to see Jacks lovely face as the announcer of these State of Play games. Would make them 1000x more enjoyable.
The team at ps4 launch was like the corporate dream team. Between Kaz, Trenton, Boyes and to a lesser extent Layden they were in perfect sync with a solid philosophy. I DO NOT like the newly appointed top dog in the UK/Europe though...Jim Ryan? He just reeks of corporate sleeze
Best of luck to him. He was a big part of what made PlayStation a great brand over the years.
@Nyne11Tyme
Andrew House also. Yeah, some good execs have left Sony over the course of this gen and I'm not sold on the newer ones. Even Layden, I don't care for. Have always thought he came off as the typical corporate slimeball.
All the best to him.
I can totally see him chillin in his Sony slippers and puffing on a pipe. If you're reading this, Kaz, which no doubt you are, enjoy your retirement.
I wish Kaz the best.
Thanks for everything Kaz, I wish you the best.
Thanks kaz for the memory / meme
All the best Kaz enjoy retirement. Letโs hope someone worthy can fill the position and keep Sony and the PlayStation brand flying high.
God everyone we know since PlayStation 3 has now is probably going enjoy his retirement I hope he does. But I hope that whoever comes in next doesn't break what's been set in motion.
@Gamer83 of course! How could i forget House. And Mark Cerny deserves all the cred in the world. Dude is a genius.
nice on Kaz you did an amazing Job ๐๐
it will be a sad day at nintendo and everywhere else when Shigeru Miyamoto Announces his retirement
Wishing you every success Kaz! Thanks for the Sony we have now.
A good person who cared about gamers. Will be missed. Good that he stays on as a senior advisor and others still exist like joi ito on the board.
Tap here to load 27 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...