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Home Controversy updates

Phil Harrison resigns from Sony, possibly because he looks like Agent 47
7:02 AM on 02.25.2008, Jim Sterling 42 comments

Phil Harrison resigns from Sony, possibly because he looks like Agent 47 photo
     Controversy

Slender necked Phil Harrison, head of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, shall be leaving his post on February 29. He is due to be succeeded by Kaz Hirai, who will be keeping his role as Group CEO of SCEI as well as assuming the new duties.

Anyone who follows gaming should be aware of Phil, who is no stranger to public events such as E3. The Brit has been with Sony through the launch of all of its gaming systems and is credited with being a huge driving force behind the company's online market.

"As one of the founding members of SCE, Phil played a key role in the development and growth of the PlayStation business and our industry," said Kaz, possibly while laying a white rose at a commemorative statue of Mr. Harrison's shapely neck. "It is sad to see him departing from SCE, but I wish to express my gratitude for his many invaluable contributions and also wish Phil the very best of luck in his future endeavors."

Sony has given no real details about Phil's departure thus far, but the move seems to be an amicable one. Phil stated he was proud of the PlayStation brand's achievements and pledged to continue to support the company in any way he can.

[Thanks LostChrichton]

This article was really dry and business-like, so to balance things I have provided a picture of a dog in a dress:

 

I hope this satisfies.

SCE Worldwide Studios President Phil Harrison Resigns
                                      
SCE Group CEO Kazuo Hirai Assumes Responsibilities

TOKYO, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that Phil Harrison, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS), will resign from Sony Computer Entertainment Group as of February 29, 2008.  Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO of SCEI,
will immediately assume responsibilities as president of SCE WWS, in addition
to his current duties.
   
Prior to the launch of the original PlayStation, Phil Harrison joined Sony Electronics Publishing, Ltd. in 1992, which later evolved into Sony computer Entertainment Europe, and since then, he has made a tremendous contribution to the company playing a strategic role in the launch of four PlayStation
platforms, as well as building strong relationships with game developers and publishers throughout the world.  Since his appointment to the position of president, SCE WWS, Harrison applied his considerable skill, knowledge and expertise to lead SCE Group's first party game development as well as aggressively pursuing the development of new online entertainment experiences.

"As one of the founding members of SCE, Phil played a key role in the development and growth of the PlayStation business and our industry," said Kazuo Hirai.  "It is sad to see him departing from SCE, but I wish to express my gratitude for his many invaluable contributions and also wish Phil the very
best of luck in his future endeavors."

"The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining journey of my life so far," said Phil Harrison.  "I am grateful to all the PlayStation family for their incredible support, guidance and friendship.  It has been a privilege to serve as part of the team and be inspired by them on a daily basis.  I am so proud of everything PlayStation has achieved and will continue to support its future in every way I can."


Next page: More Sony stories




Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 02/25/2008 07:10
WTF? This certainly came out of the blue. Perhaps he’s taking the fall for Home taking fucking forever to come out.

Also, that dog picture is awesome.
Boolean's Avatar
Boolean at 02/25/2008 07:21
Phil Harrison joins Microsoft! MEGATON!
GeneralWong's Avatar
GeneralWong at 02/25/2008 07:22
I wonder why he left Sony? His been there for millenniums!

Maybe Microsoft offered him a job as tea boy and the salary was just too good to turn down?
LarkOhiya's Avatar
LarkOhiya at 02/25/2008 07:30
sony. sony. sony. boring talk about Britain-something. sony. DOG IN A DRESS! WOO HOO!
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 02/25/2008 07:31
HAHAHA, dog in a dress.
Neonie's Avatar
Neonie at 02/25/2008 07:33
Ya I agree he does look like Agent 47.
Ali D's Avatar
Ali D at 02/25/2008 07:39
What's the betting he ends up at EA with Peter Moore? If that happened, I'd be laughing all the way to Christmas.
jxballard's Avatar
jxballard at 02/25/2008 07:39
This is a big surprise! Where could he possibly go that's better than working for Sony? It will be interesting to see where he turns up and I'm sure whoever gets him will be happy to have him on board. Sony is going to have their hands full finding a replacement with his experience.

http://www.thegamejunction.blogspot.com/
VWGTI's Avatar
VWGTI at 02/25/2008 08:14
Random.
sleepingagain's Avatar
sleepingagain at 02/25/2008 08:16
i wonder what he has to say about sony now that he no longer has to say nice things...
TorpedoTed's Avatar
TorpedoTed at 02/25/2008 08:31
Maybe Sony are cutting back, bet he was on a large wack of cash!!
Narishma's Avatar
Narishma at 02/25/2008 08:32
He's going to work at Atari now.
HarassmentPanda's Avatar
HarassmentPanda at 02/25/2008 08:43
He left due to licensing issues... Phil Harrison confirmed for Brawl!
T9X's Avatar
T9X at 02/25/2008 08:47
lol yeah I think Ali D might be right.EA does seem to be buying up everything these days.
NihonTiger90's Avatar
NihonTiger90 at 02/25/2008 08:58
I can't believe he's going to Atari. Does he have a deathwish?

Also, Kaz needs to step up and fill in Phil's shoes. Because... well, who else at Sony can without saying stupid crap?
nademagnet's Avatar
nademagnet at 02/25/2008 09:02
THAT DOG IS WEARING A DRESS!
Sueng's Avatar
Sueng at 02/25/2008 09:07
@NihonTiger90
IIRC...wasn't he the one shouting..."It's Ridge Racer, RIIIIIIDDDDGGGEEE RACER!!!"? If he did, then therefore I believe no one can fill Phil's shoes.
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 02/25/2008 09:38
Oh he does not. The only similar traits are being bald and european.
wonky360's Avatar
wonky360 at 02/25/2008 09:42
Maybe he is just stunningly rich and can leave the world of whiney fanboys for good to an island paradise.
Novakaine's Avatar
Novakaine at 02/25/2008 09:53
You know, not to beat a dead horse, but that E3 '06 conference was so defining that whenever I think of Kutaragi, Harrison, or Kaz, I always think of their awkward presentations during that event....

"Now that's a duck!"
Takeshi's Avatar
Takeshi at 02/25/2008 09:56
Dog in dress made my day.
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 02/25/2008 11:06
Hmm, maybe he's leaving to go to MS. That'd be humorous.

It'd be like a Sony Trojan Horse sent into the Live division to fuck shit up and make the service terrible.
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 02/25/2008 11:12
He does look like 47....
LostCrichton's Avatar
LostCrichton at 02/25/2008 11:34
If it's true that he's headed to Atari, then Phil must really love a challenge.
savagesaladin's Avatar
savagesaladin at 02/25/2008 11:35
I don't trust any man without eyebrows.
DryvBy's Avatar
DryvBy at 02/25/2008 11:35
I was thinking he looked more like a younger, smaller eared Moby. Then again, all skinny white bald guys look like Moby to me. Mad skinny bald white guys like like 47.
michiyoyoshiku's Avatar
michiyoyoshiku at 02/25/2008 12:05
The Truth

Kaz Karai has fired Phil Harrison over his comment about
Sony Japan not focusing on online play...

Fired.

This is certainly bad news as it seems we're in for whatever the Japanese
want to do. So in other words, buy a 360 if you want to play anything online
in thenext two years.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 02/25/2008 13:01
I never liked him that much anyways. His skin was white like death.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 02/25/2008 13:13
I love putting my girlfriend's cat in a dress. It's so funny.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 02/25/2008 13:24
Next, Reggie needs to leave Nintendo, then Phil, Reggie, and Peter Moore can form the new Power Rangers, or Voltron or something. IT MUST HAPPEN.
jackdoe's Avatar
jackdoe at 02/25/2008 15:57
@michiyoyoshiku you are pulling shit out of your ass. Phil was always given a lot of leway for what he said. He wasn't fired. Sigh.
jackdoe's Avatar
jackdoe at 02/25/2008 15:58
@michiyoyoshiku. Also, he made statements about SOCIAL games. Not ONLINE. Sigh. Get your facts straight.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 02/25/2008 16:49
weird that he leaves now when the PS3 is looking it's best and finally catching up in the market.

so weird...
jackdoe's Avatar
jackdoe at 02/25/2008 16:58
@Crunshii, he probably felt that his work was done and that it would be the best time to leave the company.
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 02/25/2008 17:28
Wierd for him to leave now, but I'm sure he had his reasons. He probably has an ass ton of money anyway and can live comfortably off the interest for the rest of this life. Maybe stay as a consultant? A business associate of mine has a good friend that worked for Apple, he retired at the age of 28 and now lives in France. Actually they paid him a few mil to come back and work on the Iphone.
EternalDeathSlayer's Avatar
EternalDeathSlayer at 02/25/2008 17:55
He was always making a fool of himself touting Sony's dominance anyway. But that other dickhead is the worst, Jack Tretton. He's a complete failure at life. Still, he's probably rich, and I'm not.
ceark's Avatar
ceark at 02/25/2008 17:58
oh this sucks. I thought he was one the few respectable executives at sony.
Crumpet Lips's Avatar
Crumpet Lips at 02/25/2008 18:00
Aww dats so coot ^_^

Oh and that dog in a dress is alright.


..../phail
Eschatos's Avatar
Eschatos at 02/25/2008 21:40
He has to assassinate Bill Gates to get his job back.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 02/26/2008 00:30
No, he left Sony because he's in love with Bill Gates and didn't have the nerve to carry out the hit they put on him.
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