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Accomplishments
- Created the SPC700 sound chip for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Began working with Sony to create its own video game console and helped to launch the first PlayStation in 1994 as its lead engineer
- Eventually he became CEO, during which time he oversaw the launch of the PlayStation 3
- Products created/worked on:
- PS1
- PS2
- PS3
Ken Kutaragi was born on August 8, 1950 in Tokyo Japan. His parents, although not wealthy by Japanese standards, still managed to own their own business - they ran a small printing plant in the city. As Kutaragi grew into childhood, they actively encouraged the young boy to explore his mechanical abilities in the plant, and he worked after school there. Aside from his duties in his parents' factory, Kutaragi was a studious, high-level student; he was often described as a hard working. Kutaragi always had the desire to "tinker", often taking apart toys as a child to see how they worked. This curiosity carried from childhood, leading him as a teenager to learn the intricacies of electronics. Eventually, in fact, his love of electronics led to him enrolling in Denki Tsushin University, where he acquired an Electronics degree.
As an engineer at Sony, Kutaragi created the SPC700 sound chip for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Following the chip's success, Kutaragi began working with Sony to create its own video game console and helped to launch the first PlayStation in 1994 as its lead engineer. His contribution to the growth of SEC landed Kutaragi the deputy executive president position and eventually he became CEO, during which time he oversaw the launch of the PlayStation 3. After being replaced by Kaz Hirai in November 2006, Kutaragi took the title of Honorary Chairman in 2007. Currently, he serves as president and CEO of internet services company Cyber AI Entertainment Inc.
The word most often used to describe Kutaragi was "brash." Kelly Flock, the CEO of Sony Online Entertainment, called him "the most animated and passionate person I've ever known" (Li, September 1, 2000). Sony was long considered unusually liberal and entrepreneurial by the conservative standards of corporate Japan, and Ken Kutaragi in particular was far more outspoken and open to innovation than traditional Japanese executives. As of 2004 he was well positioned to become Sony's next leader.