Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Kaz Hirai says he often ignored Sony executives while leading PlayStation
Kaz Hirai says he often ignored Sony executives’ advice while leading PlayStation, according to a recent interview published in Japan.
He was president of Sony’s gaming division from 2007 to 2012, a period that included the PlayStation 3’s difficult launch and recovery.
Hirai later became chief executive of Sony, taking charge when the company was under pressure after recording its worst-ever net loss, according to one account.
He said he first worked to earn employees’ trust so they could cooperate.
As CEO, he wanted Sony’s divisions to work toward one shared goal, rather than each following its own direction.
His strategy was to create products and experiences that emotionally moved people, a concept described with the Japanese word “kando.”
Hirai stepped down as CEO in 2018 or 2019, with the accounts giving different years; one says he remained an adviser until 2024.
Kaz Hirai says he often followed his own direction when Sony executives advised him on PlayStation.
He led Sony’s gaming division as it navigated the PlayStation 3’s rocky launch and prepared for the PlayStation 4.
Hirai later became Sony’s CEO and sought to get the company’s divisions working toward a shared goal.
The sources differ on when he stepped down as CEO: Eurogamer says 2018, while Kotaku says 2019.
- Who
- Kaz Hirai, former PlayStation president and Sony CEO.
- What
- Hirai said he ignored recommendations from Sony executives and followed his own direction while leading PlayStation.
- When
- He led PlayStation from 2007 to 2012, according to Eurogamer; he recently discussed his management approach in an interview.
- Where
- The interview was published by Japanese publication Nikkei X Trend.
- Why
- Hirai said he relied on his own knowledge of the games industry. As Sony CEO, he later aimed to align the company’s divisions around a shared goal.
Kaz Hirai
Sony executives
PlayStation’s direction
Kaz Hirai
Hirai said he went his own way when executives recommended what direction PlayStation should take.
Sony executives
Executives offered recommendations about the direction PlayStation should take.
Hirai served as president of PlayStation, according to Eurogamer.
Sony experienced an infamous PlayStation outage, which Eurogamer says occurred during Hirai’s tenure as president.
Hirai succeeded Howard Stringer in leading Sony, according to Kotaku.
Hirai stepped down as Sony CEO; Eurogamer gives 2018, while Kotaku gives 2019.
Hirai’s advisory role at Sony ended, according to Kotaku.
- PlayStation presidency
- 2007–2012, according to Eurogamer
- Sony CEO succession
- Hirai succeeded Howard Stringer in 2012, according to Kotaku
- Sony CEO departure
- 2018 according to Eurogamer; 2019 according to Kotaku
- Advisory role
- Continued until 2024, according to Kotaku
- Shared corporate goal
- Create moving experiences, according to Kotaku
What people are saying
What headquarters says isn’t important. We’re PlayStation!
When I was president of Sony Computer Entertainment handling the PlayStation home console business, whenever Howard [Stringer] and the other executives told me this or that, I went my own way, saying, 'What the headquarters says is irrelevant. We are PlayStation,'
Without respect, no one is going to think, 'Let's work hard together!'
Sources
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