Another PlayStation Exec Leaves The Fold News

Ken Kuturagi, Phil Harrison, Chris Deering... the original founding members behind PlayStation took another surprise departure today with confirmation that David Reeves SCEE President, CEO, Co-COO and Deputy President of SCEI will be standing down from his position.

Having joined SCEE back in 1995, Reeves is widely considered as establishing the PlayStation brand across Europe and establishing the region significance alongside North America and Japan.

"David's contribution in firmly establishing the PlayStation brand and expanding the business in Europe/PAL territories in his 14 year tenure at SCEE is immeasurable," said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment. "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to David for the many accomplishments he made to the PlayStation business and wish him the best luck in his future endeavours."

"It has been a wonderful ride with PlayStation," said David Reeves. "I never got to visit all 106 countries but managed 66. I have just two things to say on leaving: I want to thank all of those people who have supported SCEE and me personally in the past 14 years; you have been magnificent! Secondly, I am going to spend my time now trying to repay society for all I have taken from it. If your children are having physics lessons at the local school or wondering why their ski instructor is very elderly, your car mechanic has a bad back, or the social worker keeps bringing you PSP games, then it could just be me! Good luck to everybody at SCEE and everybody who continues to support us."

Exactly what Reeves means by repaying society seems a little odd; is the former SCEE man suggesting that working in the videogames industry isn't as morally worthwhile as being a ski instructor or a physics teacher?

SCEI announced that Andrew House will take over the position of SCEE President, CEO, and Co-COO of SCEE from May 1st 2009.

House joined Sony Corporation in 1990 where he served in corporate communications for five years.  He was appointed to the marketing and communications division of SCEI in 1995, before becoming Vice President of Marketing at SCEA in March 1996.  In acknowledgement of his efforts in expanding the PlayStation business, House was appointed CMO of Sony Corp in 2005.

"I'm very happy to welcome Andrew back to the PlayStation business and to work closely with him again" said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment.  "I'm confident that the skills and expertise Andy has gained over the years working as Sony's CMO will contribute enormously in leading the PlayStation business in Europe/PAL countries and regions and to bring new initiatives in managing the business in the coming networked era."

"I'm delighted to return to the PlayStation fold and excited to take on this new challenge," said Andrew House, "I have strong ties to the interactive entertainment industry and I believe there is huge potential for further growth of our business in the Europe/PAL countries and regions, particularly in the area of networked entertainment.  I'm looking forward to working with everyone at SCEE and with other groups in Sony to help achieve this potential."