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Jack Tretton steps down from PlayStation

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Cheers Jack

In what I can only see as a bad sign for PlayStation it has been announced that Jack Tretton will be stepping down as President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America at the end of the month.

Jack has been part of the PlayStation brand for 19 years and has played a role in launching every single PlayStation product to date.

Just think about that, the man has the experience of launching massive world-changing products such as the PlayStation 1, 2 and 4. He’s also presided over the PSP doing so well and helped save the PlayStation 3 after its less-than-stellar launch.

In fact over those 19 years he’s only really been part of on failure, the debacle that was the PSP Go.

According to the press release Jack is leaving by mutual agreement and for once I can actually believe that. After the difficulty of the last few years and having to bring back the PlayStation 3 from its death rattles, the fact that the PS4 has launched so spectacularly is a perfect send-off to a glittering career.

“Working at SCEA for the past 19 years has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” said Tretton. “Although I will deeply miss the talented team at SCEA and the passion demonstrated every day by our fans, I’m very excited about starting the next chapter of my career. I want to thank the employees, partners and customers for their tireless commitment to the PlayStation brand and, of course, to our fans who have pushed us to new heights of innovation and entertainment over the past two decades. I leave PlayStation in a position of considerable strength and the future will only get brighter for PlayStation Nation.”

Jack’s position is being taken over by 15 year PlayStation veteran Shawn Layden so don’t expect many changes in the near future as this is expected to be a seamless change-over.

So PlayStation fans: does this worry you? I know I’ll miss his soothing voice at Sony’s E3 conferences. 

Last Updated: March 7, 2014

18 Comments

  1. Spathi

    March 7, 2014 at 07:51

    Not in the least. Kaz Hirai was what turned Sony around. Jack merely came along for the ride, in my opinion. His successor has been with Sony for a long time and is fluent in Japanese. It could even be the dawning of an even brighter future in the US for Sony.

    All the best the Mr Tretton, and thanks for the memories.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      March 7, 2014 at 10:21

      The Great Kaz doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves. You’re absolutely right though, but Uncle Jack was the face of SONY in the west, and the fact that the man was so likeable, changed how people perceived the company. In a way, Sony out-MS MS, with a likeable Major Nelson character that wasn’t a doos (let’s be honest, Larry is a doos).

      Reply

  2. Martin du preez

    March 7, 2014 at 07:55

    I will tell u losers what really happened here.

    Jack had made a pinky swear with amy (that chick who left naughty dog the other day) that he would quit if she left naughty dog. of course he done this jokingly assuming she would never leave but now that she has left he has no choice but to also leave. jack is a proud man and takes pinky swears very seriously, it is the only flaw in his character actually.

    Moral of the story: don’t make pinky swears with anyone over anything EVER!! they could ruin u

    THE END

    In all seriousness,He led SONY back to it’s rightful spot of a world wide leader of world class games. Live, Learn and Love Jack and God speed.

    Reply

    • Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)

      March 7, 2014 at 08:39

      As far as I understand the whole pinky swear thing has a far darker origin as it originally indicated that the person who breaks the promise must cut off their pinky finger O_o

      Reply

  3. Brian Murphy

    March 7, 2014 at 07:57

    Doesn’t worry me, I always liked Jack Tretton, however the issue between him and Sony was apparently due to them not being able to negotiate a new contract. Considering Sony’s higher ups have been taking pay cuts of late, it’s not surprising that they’d be bullish about giving him more when they’re about to lay off 5000 workers, you can only imagine he’s got a much higher pay ceiling at other companies who are on a bit more stable financial ground.

    Reply

  4. TiMsTeR1033

    March 7, 2014 at 07:58

    I think he did a world of good for Sony, and had a very soothing voice I agree, He will be missed but not forgotten. Good luck for the future Jack.

    Reply

  5. McBeanoO

    March 7, 2014 at 08:26

    WWWAHAHHAHAHA! Apparently he threw in a towel on his way out and was made to pick the mic he dropped at E3.

    This leaves Sony with 5002 employees less. It’s quite obvious that Jack left the building while his shares were worth something a bit more than Donkey Kong Banana’s before the Kaztanic hit another iceberg, You have to commend him for his quick thinking in getting out of a hole.

    Cutting the price of the PS4 is starting to showing it’s consequences and it’s hindering the company more than Sony would have expected. That is why you don’t instantaneously cut prices in hope that everything will be alright.

    Reply

  6. Martin du preez

    March 7, 2014 at 08:51

    Sony is doomed. DOOMED. A sinking ship.
    Jack jumping ship just like that Jack from Titanic

    Reply

  7. oVg PAYNE

    March 7, 2014 at 09:17

    Sorry, it was the first thing that popped into my head. I bet he ends up at Atari… TOOOO SOOOON

    Reply

  8. Rikus

    March 7, 2014 at 09:22

    Go well Jack. You will be missed! Especially on the Sony stage at E3

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      March 7, 2014 at 10:11

      *drops the mic*

      Reply

  9. RinceThis

    March 7, 2014 at 09:27

    Well done bro, you have done a stellar job. Meanwhile back at MS headquarters ‘So, we have a big surprise for E3! Guess who is taking over MS Games Division!?

    Reply

    • McBeanoO

      March 7, 2014 at 09:53

      They’ve done it before with Phil Harris. I see a Transatlantic reunion happening at E3. The new doctors of Sony doom they shall be.

      Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      March 7, 2014 at 10:16

      lol, Joining Agent Phil!

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        March 7, 2014 at 10:17

        I propose they are in fact starting their own company. Wii BoxnY

        Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      March 7, 2014 at 10:17

      Maybe that’s the big surprise MS has in store for E3?

      Now that would be something. The boner definitely needs some love, and since sales are currently pegged with the Wii U (yes, the boner and the Wii U are competing), MS might actually need Uncle Jack more than Uncle Jack needs MS.

      Reply

  10. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    March 7, 2014 at 10:10

    Can’t say that I agree with you Gav.

    Uncle Jack was there to steer the ship through it’s most trying times (when the doubters were certain that the PS3 was dead in the waters), but even a great and funny leader like Uncle Jack deserves some rest. You did a sterling job sir, and I salute you. The King is Dead! Long Live the King!

    The new guy has awfully big boots to slide into, so I hope he can manage.

    Reply

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