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The head of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Andrew House, is to step down from his role at the end of the year. House, who joined Sony in 1990, has been a big part of the history of the Sony PlayStation.
After moving into marketing for the Japanese company’s computer section, House helped to launch the first PlayStation console. Over time, he continued to work for Sony Computer Entertainment and became president and group CEO of SCE in 2011. House is credited with creating Sony Interactive Entertainment, as we now know it, after combining the SCE and Sony Network Entertainment divisions.
He has been an integral part of the strategy for the PlayStation 4’s development and launch. With the console set to sell over 78 million units by the end of the year, according to Sony, it has been the fastest growing platform in the company’s history. House also helped develop and launch the PlayStation VR headset. He will now become the chairman of SIE until the end of the year in order to have a smooth transition for his replacement.
"I’m tremendously proud of what we’ve built with PlayStation and Sony Interactive Entertainment," said House in a statement. "PlayStation has been a huge part of my life for more than 20 years but with the business having achieved record-breaking success, now seemed to be the right time for me to pursue new challenges."
House is to be replaced in his role as CEO and president of SIE by Tsuyoshi ‘John’ Kodera. Kodera joined Sony in 1992 and was made deputy president of SIE last year. His main responsibilities have has been supporting the PlayStation’s services including the PlayStation Store, the PlayStation Now game streaming service and the PlayStation Plus subscription scheme.
"It’s a great honor to take on the role of President and CEO, SIE, and I’m very grateful to Kaz and Andy for the trust and faith they have shown in me, added Kodera in the statement. "I intend to build on the amazing progress Andy has made enhancing the PlayStation brand and expanding the game and network services business, and will strive to further strengthen the unique value proposition we are able to offer via the PlayStation platform."
"I’m extremely grateful to Andy for the great contribution he has made to evolving the PlayStation business, and firmly positioning it as one of the drivers of our future growth," said Sony Corporation president and CEO, Kazuo Hirai. "Andy and I go back more than 20 years and spent much of this time together, dedicating ourselves to ensuring the success of the PlayStation business. I would like to thank Andy for his contribution over many years, and wish him every success in the future.
"John Kodera has led Sony’s network service business since 2013 and played a pivotal role in its growth. He is a truly global executive, possessing strategic understanding, strength of conviction and outstanding leadership capabilities. With the significance of network services increasing across the entire Sony Group, I believe that John is ideally equipped to build on the foundations Andy has left in place, and drive Sony’s game and network services business to further growth and excitement going forward."
