What Kaz Hirai brings to the Sony Computer Entertainment head office

Later this year, the day of the Kaz begins. Analysts just love to crystal-ball the future of Sony Computer Entertainment post-Kutaragi, under former SCEA boss, now to-be SCE boss Kaz Hirai. BusinessWeek, for example, describes him as the “anti-Kutaragi.”

Let’s not get biblical about the title. It simply means that Kaz will bring a whole different ballgame to the head office than Ken used to bring.

Hirai’s biggest weakness was Kutaragi’s best strength, BusinessWeek observes: technological savvy. “Hirai isn’t a techie and won’t have the pull with engineers” that Ken had. At the same time, he would have to learn the technological side of SCE business – supply and parts management, long-term production, not to mention the PS4 (when the time comes for that).

Hirai’s biggest strength, on the other hand, is that having been in corporate and dealing with SCEA, the guy networks. Michael Pachter tells BusinessWeek that he believes Kaz is more “in touch” with US game publishers, which would be critical in enlisting even more publishing support for Sony platforms from them, something he could also do worldwide. He is also believed to encourage further collaboration, both within SCEI and between SCEI and the other Sony divisions.

Kaz certainly brings a different brand of slab-of-meat to SCEI than Ken, although the challenge remains the same: prove the PS3 a viable winner in the video games market (and not just a tech marvel).

Later this year, the day of the Kaz begins. Analysts just love to crystal-ball the future of Sony Computer Entertainment post-Kutaragi, under former SCEA boss, now to-be SCE boss Kaz Hirai. BusinessWeek, for example, describes him as the “anti-Kutaragi.”

Let’s not get biblical about the title. It simply means that Kaz will bring a whole different ballgame to the head office than Ken used to bring.

Hirai’s biggest weakness was Kutaragi’s best strength, BusinessWeek observes: technological savvy. “Hirai isn’t a techie and won’t have the pull with engineers” that Ken had. At the same time, he would have to learn the technological side of SCE business – supply and parts management, long-term production, not to mention the PS4 (when the time comes for that).

Hirai’s biggest strength, on the other hand, is that having been in corporate and dealing with SCEA, the guy networks. Michael Pachter tells BusinessWeek that he believes Kaz is more “in touch” with US game publishers, which would be critical in enlisting even more publishing support for Sony platforms from them, something he could also do worldwide. He is also believed to encourage further collaboration, both within SCEI and between SCEI and the other Sony divisions.

Kaz certainly brings a different brand of slab-of-meat to SCEI than Ken, although the challenge remains the same: prove the PS3 a viable winner in the video games market (and not just a tech marvel).